Aboard the Investigator, a Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) vessel, a scientific team using multibeam mapping on the seafloor has discovered a chain of underwater volcanic islands off the east coast of Tasmania.
These underwater mountains (or “seamounts”) reach up to 3000m from the seafloor, though even the peaks of these landmasses are still a good 2000m from the surface. This chain of seamounts is absolutely teeming with life both large and small. At these incredible depths, it is difficult to ascertain which creatures are living within the seamounts’ direct vicinity, but the team has definitively confirmed the existence of phytoplankton.
Closer to the surface, more easily recognizable creatures are surprisingly prevalent. The team was visited by humpback whales, pilot whales, and seabirds. The heat and activity of the seamounts serve as a vital gathering place for all kinds of marine life, allowing migratory creatures to stock up on warmth and food before heading out. The team has joked that they’ve effectively found the ocean equivalent of a highway rest stop.
