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Viral Deep-Sea Discovery: Argentina’s Hidden Canyon Reveals 40 New Species and a ‘Patrick Star’ Seastar

Groundbreaking Deep-Sea Discovery Captivates Global Audience

Schmidt Ocean Institute’s latest expedition has achieved something remarkable: “capturing images and video of 40 suspected new species, coral fields, and a seastar that resembled a famous cartoon character” while simultaneously inspiring millions of viewers worldwide.

The Argentine-led expedition aboard the R/V Falkor (too) drew unprecedented attention to deep-sea exploration. Nearly 4 million people tuned in to watch live video feeds from the seafloor, witnessing discoveries unfold in real-time from locations ranging from homes and classrooms to grocery stores and gyms.

A Canyon of Unprecedented Scale

The Mar del Plata Canyon, located 300 kilometers offshore from Argentina’s Mar del Plata city, represents one of the country’s largest underwater formations. At over 3,500 meters deep, this underwater giant is nearly twice as deep as the Grand Canyon, making it an ideal location for groundbreaking marine research.

Historic First: ROV Technology Meets Decade-Long Research

This expedition marked a historic milestone for the research team. While scientists had studied the Mar del Plata Canyon for over a decade using traditional sampling methods in 2012 and 2013, this represented their first opportunity to observe the seafloor ecosystem in living detail.

Chief Scientist Dr. Daniel Lauretta of CONICET and Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia described the experience as transformational. The ROV SuBastian’s sophisticated cameras and sampling tools provided unprecedented image quality, offering new insights into the habitat’s complexity and remarkable biodiversity.

Chief Scientist Daniel Lauretta of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council), oversees a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive from the research vessel Falkor (too) off the coast of Argentina. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, one of Argentina’s largest underwater canyons off the Coast. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
Chief Scientist Daniel Lauretta of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council), oversees a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive from the research vessel Falkor (too) off the coast of Argentina. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, one of Argentina’s largest underwater canyons off the Coast. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others.

Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display

Coral Wonderlands in the Abyss

The expedition documented extraordinary biodiversity across multiple depth zones:

At 1,014 meters depth: Deep-sea coral reefs featuring Bathelia candida, a stony, habitat-forming coral species that creates complex three-dimensional structures on the seafloor.

At 1,500 meters depth: Extensive fields of red Anthomastus sp., commonly known as mushroom coral, creating what researchers described as underwater gardens in the deep.

At 1500 meters depth (nearly a mile), researchers found a sprawling field of red Anthomastus sp., a deep-sea soft coral known as a mushroom coral in the the Mar del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
At 1500 meters depth (nearly a mile), researchers found a sprawling field of red Anthomastus sp., a deep-sea soft coral known as a mushroom coral in the the Mar del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina.

Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display

The team suspects they have discovered over 40 new species, including sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, corals, and crinoids. Scientific confirmation will require extensive comparative analysis with known species.

A brooding mother octopus shelters her eggs behind two different types of corals. The image was made by pilots using a robot to explore the north wall of the Mar Del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina, as part of a scientific expedition. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
A brooding mother octopus shelters her eggs behind two different types of corals. The image was made by pilots using a robot to explore the north wall of the Mar Del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina, as part of a scientific expedition. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others.

Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
A large Bathelia candida reef discovered 1014 meters (more than half a mile deep). The stony, habitat-forming coral species was not expected to be in this area in such quantities. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, off the Coast of Argentina. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
A large Bathelia candida reef discovered 1014 meters (more than half a mile deep). The stony, habitat-forming coral species was not expected to be in this area in such quantities. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, off the Coast of Argentina. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others.

Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
Brenda Doti, associate researcher at CONICET, works with a specimen of a crustacean in the Main Lab of R/V Falkor (too). Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
Brenda Doti, associate researcher at CONICET, works with a specimen of a crustacean in the Main Lab of R/V Falkor (too).

Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display

Breaking Records: When Science Goes Viral

The expedition shattered engagement records for Schmidt Ocean Institute. While typical ROV dives average around 4,000 views, this expedition averaged 500,000 views per dive, accumulating over 17.5 million total views across three weeks. Approximately three-quarters of the audience were Argentinian, demonstrating the power of national scientific pride.

Dr. Martín Brogger of CONICET and the Instituto de Biología de Organismos Marinos noted receiving hundreds of messages from families, teachers, and children who felt inspired by the broadcasts. Some young viewers expressed newfound dreams of becoming marine biologists.

The expedition’s most viral moment featured a seastar bearing striking resemblance to Patrick Star from SpongeBob SquarePants, alongside footage of shimmering squids and pink lobsters that captured public imagination.

Many viewers thought this seastar that resembled the SpongeBob character, Patrick Star (Patricio Estrella). The encounter as documented in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina’s coast. The Mar del Plata submarine canyon, one of Argentina’s largest and deepest underwater canyons, is estimated to be deeper than 3500 meters (more than two miles). Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
Many viewers thought this seastar that resembled the SpongeBob character, Patrick Star (Patricio Estrella). The encounter as documented in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina’s coast. The Mar del Plata submarine canyon, one of Argentina’s largest and deepest underwater canyons, is estimated to be deeper than 3500 meters (more than two miles).

Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display

Environmental Sobering Reality

While celebrating these discoveries, the expedition also documented evidence of human impact reaching even these remote depths. Marine debris including shoes, plastic bags, and fishing gear served as stark reminders of humanity’s far-reaching environmental footprint.

The Future of Ocean Exploration

As Wendy Schmidt, co-founder and president of Schmidt Ocean Institute, observed, this expedition demonstrates how deep-sea exploration can spark wonder while reminding us how much of our planet remains undiscovered and in need of protection.

Dr. Jyotika Virmani, Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Executive Director, praised the balance achieved between rigorous scientific research and passionate public engagement, noting how Argentinians developed a deep connection with their own ocean depths.

R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow.

Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display

Written by: Junior Thanong Aiamkhophueng.

Image Credits: All photographs courtesy of Schmidt Ocean Institute Licensed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA Original expedition: FKt250712 Mar del Plata Canyon. Images resized for web display

About the organization

Schmidt Ocean Institute was established in 2009 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt to catalyze the discoveries needed to understand our ocean, sustain life, and ensure the health of our planet through the pursuit of impactful scientific research and intelligent observation, technological advancement, open sharing of information, and public engagement, all at the highest levels of international excellence. For more information, visit www.schmidtocean.org.

Article Gallery

  • Many viewers thought this seastar that resembled the SpongeBob character, Patrick Star (Patricio Estrella). The encounter as documented in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina’s coast. The Mar del Plata submarine canyon, one of Argentina’s largest and deepest underwater canyons, is estimated to be deeper than 3500 meters (more than two miles). Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    Many viewers thought this seastar that resembled the SpongeBob character, Patrick Star (Patricio Estrella). The encounter as documented in the Mar del Plata Submarine Canyon off Argentina’s coast. The Mar del Plata submarine canyon, one of Argentina’s largest and deepest underwater canyons, is estimated to be deeper than 3500 meters (more than two miles). Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • A brooding mother octopus shelters her eggs behind two different types of corals. The image was made by pilots using a robot to explore the north wall of the Mar Del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina, as part of a scientific expedition. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    A brooding mother octopus shelters her eggs behind two different types of corals. The image was made by pilots using a robot to explore the north wall of the Mar Del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina, as part of a scientific expedition. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • A large Bathelia candida reef discovered 1014 meters (more than half a mile deep). The stony, habitat-forming coral species was not expected to be in this area in such quantities. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, off the Coast of Argentina. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    A large Bathelia candida reef discovered 1014 meters (more than half a mile deep). The stony, habitat-forming coral species was not expected to be in this area in such quantities. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, off the Coast of Argentina. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters – twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • At 1500 meters depth (nearly a mile), researchers found a sprawling field of red Anthomastus sp., a deep-sea soft coral known as a mushroom coral in the the Mar del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    At 1500 meters depth (nearly a mile), researchers found a sprawling field of red Anthomastus sp., a deep-sea soft coral known as a mushroom coral in the the Mar del Plata submarine canyon in Argentina. Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • Chief Scientist Daniel Lauretta of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council), oversees a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive from the research vessel Falkor (too) off the coast of Argentina. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, one of Argentina’s largest underwater canyons off the Coast. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    Chief Scientist Daniel Lauretta of CONICET (The National Scientific and Technical Research Council), oversees a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive from the research vessel Falkor (too) off the coast of Argentina. The expedition took place in the Mar del Plata Canyon, one of Argentina’s largest underwater canyons off the Coast. The deepest point is over 3,500 meters — twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The science team documented rich biodiversity, including deep-sea coral reef environments filled with sea anemones, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, snails, and others. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • Brenda Doti, associate researcher at CONICET, works with a specimen of a crustacean in the Main Lab of R/V Falkor (too). Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    Brenda Doti, associate researcher at CONICET, works with a specimen of a crustacean in the Main Lab of R/V Falkor (too). Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
  • R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
    R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. R/V Falkor (too) sails the South Pacific off the coast of Chile after the reconstruction of its bow. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute | CC BY-NC-SA | Resized for web display
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