In a "mind-blowing" deep-sea expedition off the coast of Chile, scientists have made an incredible discovery of more than 100 never-before-seen species and a massive underwater mountain. Led by Dr. Javier Sellanes from the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the team explored the Salas y Gomez Ridge, a 1,800-mile-long underwater mountain chain containing more than 200 seamounts stretching from offshore Chile to Easter Island.

Using an underwater robot, the researchers were able to dive to depths of 4,500 meters, mapping a total of 20,377 square miles (52,777 square kilometers) of the seafloor. This extensive exploration led to the identification of four new seamounts, with the tallest being 3,530 meters tall and unofficially named Solito.

Among the new species discovered were deep-sea corals, squat lobsters, a bright red fish known as a Chaunax, and an unusual sea creature known as the whiplash squid. While the formal identification of these new species may take years, the team has collected an impressive number of samples to contribute to the Nippon Foundation - Nekton Ocean Census Program's goal of finding 100,000 new marine species in the next decade.

The remarkable biodiversity uncovered in this little-explored underwater hotspot has captivated researchers and highlights the vast potential for further discoveries within Earth's oceans, which remain largely unexplored despite covering nearly 70% of the planet's surface.