In a groundbreaking 28-day expedition led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, oceanographers exploring the Nazca Ridge, an underwater mountain range located approximately 900 miles off the coast of Chile, made astonishing discoveries. The team's mission to study and potentially protect the area as a "high seas marine protected area" led to the identification of a new species of octopus, remarkable footage of an exceptionally rare Promachoteuthis squid, and the observation of elusive Bathyphysa siphonophores, better known as "flying spaghetti monsters."

The Nazca Ridge, a potential underwater haven for marine life, stands nearly two miles tall, surpassing the stature of Mount Olympus. Covering an expansive area of about 27 square miles, this seamount supports a thriving and diverse deep-sea ecosystem, as revealed by the researchers' high-resolution mapping technology.

During their expedition, an underwater robot deployed by the team delved into the depths, uncovering fascinating sponge gardens and ancient corals on the mountain. Remarkably, the discovery of a coral garden equivalent in size to three tennis courts provided protection and sanctuary for various aquatic life forms, including king crabs and rockfish.

Co-chief scientist and marine technician Tomer Ketter of the Schmidt Ocean Institute expressed enthusiasm about the expedition's findings, stating, "Our discoveries highlight the extraordinary diversity of these ecosystems, while also uncovering the gaps in our knowledge regarding the interconnectedness of seamount ecosystems."

The use of innovative cameras during the journey allowed the researchers to capture the first-ever footage of a living Promachoteuthis squid. This delightful encounter shed light on a species considered to be incredibly rare, with only deceased specimens previously studied. Additionally, the cameras successfully documented the presence of the two distinctive "flying spaghetti monsters," Bathyphysa siphonophores.

The expedition yielded further exciting results, with the identification of 20 suspected new species. These findings, coupled with previous 2024 expeditions that documented more than 150 unknown species, showcase the immense biodiversity residing within the Nazca Ridge. Surprisingly, some organisms previously unknown to inhabit these mountains have established homes within this unique ecosystem.

Prior to this year's exploration, a mere 1,019 species were known to inhabit this particular stretch of the ocean. However, the team's efforts have confirmed the existence of over 1,300 species, a number expected to increase as further research is conducted in the future.

The Schmidt Ocean Institute's formidable expedition has not only provided invaluable data for scientific understanding but has also emphasized the significance of preserving these extraordinary underwater ecosystems. The Nazca Ridge's consideration as a "high seas marine protected area" reflects humanity's collective responsibility to safeguard our oceans and their remarkable inhabitants.