Scientists have found more than 100 new sea creatures off the coast of Chile (11 photos + 1 video)

Oceans cover more than 70% of our planet's surface, but only 5% has been fully explored and studied. Therefore, we still have many discoveries ahead of us in the ocean depths. Recently, scientists exploring the waters off the coast of Chile discovered a huge undersea mountain that is home to many strange and wonderful creatures.





Scientists from the Schmidt Ocean Institute have discovered a huge seamount off the coast of Chile that is home to many new species of sea creatures. There are about 100 of them - from deep-sea corals to squat lobsters. The team originally stumbled upon the seamount while exploring the Salas y Gomez Ridge, home to more than 200 seamounts that stretch from the coast of Chile to Easter Island.



Scientists lowered the underwater robot to a depth of 4,500 meters and mapped the seabed with a total area of 52,777 square kilometers. They discovered four new seamounts, each with their own ecosystem. The height of the largest of them is 3530 meters.





This fish probably belongs to the genus Chaunax.

The underwater robot also discovered and photographed new species of sea creatures. Many of them have not yet been officially named or identified, but among them: a red fish, probably of the genus Chaunax, as well as a squat lobster that sat on coral at a depth of 669 meters, and a rare whip squid at a depth of 1,105 meters.



Various new species of corals, sponges and urchins were also discovered. Scientists say complete species identification may take many years. For now, they plan to continue exploring the ocean floor in search of new species. Their goal is to find 100,000 new marine species over the next ten years.