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New Coral Gardens and Hydrothermal Vents Found in the Icy Depths of the Remote South Sandwich Islands

Hydrothermal Vents Found in the Icy Depths of the Remote South Sandwich Islands

An Ocean Census Flagship expedition and GoSouth team of scientists found suspected new species, discovered one of the island chain’s shallowest hydrothermal vents, and explored the deepest trench in the Southern Ocean.

Palo Alto, CA, USA — An international team of scientists on a recent 35-day deep-sea expedition to one of the most remote island chains in the world observed thriving polar ecosystems, discovered new hydrothermal vents, coral gardens, and many suspected new species. The Ocean Census Flagship expedition aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor (too) explored the South Sandwich Islands, including one of the coldest and most isolated submarine trenches on the planet, and also found evidence of explosive volcanism. This was the same expedition that filmed the first confirmed sighting of a juvenile colossal squid.

A vibrant collection of pink and orange deep-sea corals and anemones growing in the dark, thriving near hydrothermal activity. — A vibrant grouping of coral, documented on on Humpback Seamount. During the expedition, researchers discovered coral gardens, hydrothermal vents, and many new species, including corals, sponges, snails, urchins, and sea stars.

The expedition was part of the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census program, the world’s largest initiative to accelerate the discovery of ocean life. The Ocean Census scientists led the species discovery efforts, uncovering a wide range of potentially new marine life — including corals, sponges, snails, sea urchins, benthic ctenophores, and sea stars. The exact number of new species will be announced later this year following an Ocean Census workshop, where taxonomic experts will formally assess and catalog the findings. The GoSouth team — a collaboration between the University of Plymouth (UK), GEOMAR (Germany), and the British Antarctic Survey (UK) — investigated the effects of geohazards, including tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquakes.

A scientist in a bright orange parka carefully measures a core sample from the seafloor using a ruler, aboard the research vessel. — During the last dive of the expedition the science team gather biological and geological samples from ROV SuBastian. Here, the GoSouth team process push cores. Pictured: Tea Isler (scientist, Alfred Wegener Institute)

“This expedition has given us a glimpse into one of the most remote and biologically rich parts of our ocean. This is exactly why the Ocean Census exists — to accelerate our understanding of ocean life before it’s too late,” said Dr. Michelle Taylor, head of science and expedition principal investigator at the Ocean Census, and senior lecturer at the University of Essex. “The 35 days at sea were an exciting rollercoaster of scientific discovery; the implications of which will be felt for many years to come as discoveries filter into management action.”

A bright white orange nudibranch — A nudibranch observed at 268 metres on the eastern side of Montagu Island, where temperatures hovered at +0.35°C. Nudibranchs are soft-bodied marine gastropods known for their vivid colours and intricate forms.

Mother Nature threw everything she had at the expedition, said Taylor, including a subsea earthquake, tropical storm force winds with hurricane-level gusts, eight-meter (26-foot) waves, and icebergs to navigate.

A blue and white research vessel cruises through icy Antarctic waters with a snow-covered volcanic island and drifting iceberg in the background. — *Research Vessel Falkor (too) conducts studies off the South Sandwich Islands, including a site close to Montagu Island. The South Sandwich Islands area is extremely active volcanically.*

Located in the South Atlantic, the South Sandwich Islands are part of a rich mosaic of geologic features such as hadal zone trenches, underwater volcanoes, and spreading centers — features created by tectonic forces that have supported the evolution of species found nowhere else on the planet. It took eight days for the research vessel to travel to the islands from the port of Punta Arenas, Chile.

A female scientist in an Ocean Census lab coat smiles while photographing a marine specimen displayed on a large screen in a shipboard laboratory. — *Jialing Cai (Ocean Census photographer) in the Hydro Lab where the team photograph specimens.*

The GoSouth team, led by Co-Chief Scientist Dr. Jenny Gales, discovered two pockmarks in the mapping data of an underwater caldera — a bowl-shaped depression in the seafloor, left after a volcano erupts. Pockmarks can indicate hydrothermal activity. Using a “nested” approach, the team deployed Schmidt Ocean Institute’s remotely operated vehicle, SuBastian to map the pockmarks at a higher resolution and confirm the presence of vents.

A hydrothermal vent chimney on the seafloor covered with marine life including bacteria and snails, surrounded by dark volcanic rock and swimming fish. — Researchers discovered hydrothermal vents at 700 meters depth (nearly 2300 feet) on the northeast side of Quest Caldera, off the South Sandwich Islands. The tallest vent chimney was four meters (13 feet), and they were was covered with an array of life, including sea snails and barnacles.

The larger pockmark contained three hydrothermal vents, and the smaller contained one. Located at 700 meters depth (nearly 2300 feet), they are one of the shallowest hydrothermal vents to have been discovered near the South Sandwich Islands, and the only ones to be explored using a remotely operated vehicle. The tallest vent chimney was four meters (13 feet), making it about as tall as a basketball hoop. Each vent was covered with an array of life dependent on chemosynthesis, including sea snails and barnacles. Thriving coral gardens and large sponges were found in close proximity to the vents — an unusual observation, said Taylor.

A close-up of a dragonfish (Akarotaxis aff. gouldae) resting on a rock on the deep-sea floor, showing its elongated body and pointed snout. — This is the first-ever footage of Akarotaxis aff. gouldae, a species of dragonfish discovered just two years ago. Its documentation during this expedition off the South Sandwich Islands provides valuable insight into the deep-sea biodiversity of this remote region.

“Discovering these hydrothermal vents was a magical moment, as they have never been seen here before,” said Gales, an associate professor in Ocean Exploration at the University of Plymouth (UK). “It’s an incredible discovery that provides valuable insights into the area’s tectonic activity. Making such a discovery is rare. It highlights the importance of ocean exploration and seafloor mapping.”

While exploring underwater mountains and the South Sandwich Trench — one of the coldest and most isolated submarine trenches on the planet — researchers found these snailfish eggs had been laid on a black coral, a previously unknown behavior.

In addition to the vents, other notable observations during the expedition included:

In the trench, scientists found snailfish eggs that had been laid on a black coral, as well as a potential new sea cucumber species;
large pumice blocks, indicating that the South Sandwich Islands are capable of explosive volcanism;
a vibrant coral garden located west of Saunders Island at a depth of 120 meters (394 feet);
Capturing the first footage of Akarotaxis aff. gouldae, a species of dragonfish that was discovered two years ago.

“The challenging ocean and weather conditions and the isolated location of the South Sandwich Islands capture the imagination of the boldest explorers — often the closest humans to the vessel were on the International Space Station,” said Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Executive Director, Dr. Jyotika Virmani. “We are proud to have collaborated with Ocean Census in their mission to advance the discovery of marine life and GoSouth in their quest to better understand the geological nature of this dynamic corner of the world.”

Two scientists aboard the Falkor (too) observe coral footage on screens in the vessel’s control room during a deep-sea dive. — In the control room of Research Vessel Falkor (too), Chief Scientist Michelle Taylor (University of Essex) and Scientist Tea Isler (Alfred Wegener Institute) marvel at a massive coral — potentially over a thousand years old — spotted during a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) dive on the northeast side of Quest Caldera, off the South Sandwich Islands.

Image Credit: Jialing Cai / The Nippon Foundation – Nekton Ocean Census / Schmidt Ocean Institute

About the Organizations:

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.

The Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census is the world’s largest mission to accelerate the discovery of ocean life. Launched in April 2023 by The Nippon Foundation and Nekton, it unites philanthropy, government, science, business, media, and civil society to revolutionise how marine species are found and studied. With only 240,000 marine species documented and millions more yet to be discovered, Ocean Census is working to close critical biodiversity knowledge gaps. Learn more at www.oceancensus.org.

The University of Plymouth is renowned worldwide for its high-quality research, teaching and innovation. With a mission to Advance Knowledge and Transform Lives, the University drives the global debate in disciplines from marine and maritime science to medicine, law, computing and climate action. A three-time winner of the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education – most recently in respect of its pioneering research on microplastics pollution in the ocean – Plymouth consistently ranks among the world’s leading universities for its innovation, research and teaching in relation to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Its growing global presence is reinforced by the 200,000 alumni it has pursuing their chosen careers right across the world. http://www.plymouth.ac.uk.

The GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is one of the world’s leading marine research institutions. Its research covers a wide range of physical, chemical, biological and geological ocean processes, from the seabed to the atmosphere. The centre is a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest research organisation. As part of the GoSouth team, GEOMAR was involved in researching geological processes such as underwater volcanism and hydrothermal vents during the expedition. GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel

The British Antarctic Survey strives to uncover the secrets of the Polar Regions and the frozen regions of the Earth. Our expertise spans the depths of the oceans to the inner edge of space. Our research highlights the fragility of the Earth’s frozen environments, and what that means for our planet. We have been living and working in the extremes of Antarctica and the Arctic for over 60 years. Our scientists discovered the hole in the ozone layer and identified key evidence for climate change in ancient ice – our science continues to inform decision-makers. We provide the UK’s national polar capability by operating research stations, aircraft and Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough, supporting science at the poles and securing the UK’s presence in Antarctic affairs. Find us at:  https://www.bas.ac.uk The British Antarctic Survey is part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

At the University of Essex we’re ranked 58th out of 2,152 universities assessed worldwide in the global Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024. University of Essex research is committed to making a difference and our scientists are at the forefront of promoting sustainable approaches from the marine sciences through to Agri-tech. The University has partnerships with leading organisations including Ocean Census, CEFAS, and the Gates Foundation – to make the world a better place. At the University of Essex, we’re big believers in the power of change to create hope for a brighter future. It’s what inspired us at the start, drives us today, and shapes our future.

Related Topics:News ocean conservation Ocean Literacy

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Fish Art Contest Unveils Guy Harvey Shark Award

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Fish Art Contest Unveils Guy Harvey Shark Award

Photo Credit: Tina Zhao, Great White Shark / Wildlife Forever.

White Bear Lake, MN (May 2, 2025) – Wildlife Forever is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2025 Guy Harvey Shark Award, a special award division within the Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest sponsored by the Guy Harvey Foundation. This award celebrates outstanding student artwork that raises awareness about sharks and their conservation needs.

The 2025 Guy Harvey Shark Award winners are:

K–3rd Grade: Wenhao Xia, MA – Atlantic Shark
4th–6th Grade: Ruiyi Fan, AZ – Hammerhead Shark
7th–9th Grade: Selene Li, NJ – Great White Shark
10th–12th Grade: Tina Zhao, WA – Great White Shark

Watercolor painting of an Atlantic shark breaching from a wave with dramatic splashes, against a bright blue sky. The shark’s open mouth and sharp teeth are visible, capturing a sense of motion and power. — Wenhao Xia – Atlantic Shark

Painting of a hammerhead shark gliding upward through beams of sunlight beneath the ocean surface, surrounded by small fish and framed by textured blue water. — Wenhao Xia – Atlantic Shark

For full resolution winning artworks, please visit: www.theartofconservation.org/shark-award-winners

“Guy Harvey has built his life on using artwork to show the beauty of the undersea world and convey messages of conservation. We are proud to support Wildlife Forever’s Fish Art Contest, which encourages students to be creative and express their appreciation for sharks and our oceans,” said Greg Jacoski, Executive Director, Research and Policy at the Guy Harvey Foundation.

To be eligible for the award, students submitted original artwork of any shark species along with a written piece relevant to their chosen species. Winners receive a signed print from world-renowned marine artist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, valued at up to $200, along with additional recognition.

“At Wildlife Forever, we believe art has the power to connect people to conservation in a personal and lasting way. These students used their creativity to champion sharks and the vital role they play in our oceans, and we are honored to celebrate their incredible work,” said Veronica Mangio, Education and Marketing Manager at Wildlife Forever.

To view all winning entries from the 2024-25 Fish Art Contest, visit www.FishArt.org.

About Wildlife Forever:

Wildlife Forever is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to conserving America’s outdoor heritage through conservation education, habitat restoration, and scientific management of fish and wildlife. With a commitment to maximizing impact, 96% of every dollar donated goes directly to conservation programs. Learn more about the Art of Conservation® Fish Art Contest™, Songbird Art Contest™, Clean Drain Dry Initiative™, Getting Families Fishing & Boating Initiative™, and Prairie City USA® at www.WildlifeForever.org.

About the Guy Harvey Foundation:

With a focused mission to better understand and conserve the ocean environment, the Guy Harvey Foundation (GHF) collaborates with local, national and international organizations to conduct scientific research and provides funding to affiliated researchers who share this objective. The GHF also develops and hosts cutting-edge educational programs that help educators to foster the next era of marine conservationists, ensuring that future generations can enjoy and benefit from a properly balanced ocean ecosystem. For more information, visit www.GuyHarveyFoundation.org.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOcean,
Twitter: www.twitter.com/GuyHarveyOcean, or connect on
Instagram: www.instagram.com/GuyHarveyOcean.

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U.S. Sidesteps UN on Deep Sea Mining, Sparking Global Alarm

Image credit: © Stephanie Keith / Greenpeace

As publishers connecting the global ocean conservation community, we’ve watched with growing concern as the United States government signals a controversial shift on deep-sea mining. The plan is to support mining operations outside the established United Nations framework – specifically bypassing the International Seabed Authority (ISA). This UN body is responsible for regulating mineral activities in international waters. An executive order signed April 24 directs U.S. agencies to fast-track permits using only national law. For us, and for the many working on the front lines of ocean protection whom we connect with daily, this move raises significant alarm and challenges the collaborative international approach vital for protecting our shared seas.

Why Bypassing Global Oversight Matters

This move leverages the U.S. Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA), essentially creating a separate, national pathway for mining permits. It sidesteps the environmental standards and collective decision-making the ISA is painstakingly developing. What makes this particularly jarring is that the U.S. benefits substantially from the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—the very treaty that established the ISA—even though it hasn’t officially signed it. We’ve seen the U.S. use UNCLOS provisions to claim vast seabed territories, making this departure from its spirit even more concerning.

This action feels like it undermines the ISA’s authority when international cooperation is most needed. It follows recent ISA meetings where over 20 nations pushed for stronger environmental rules. Furthermore, the new ISA Secretary-General, Leticia Carvalho, has clearly condemned efforts to bypass the Authority’s governance structure.

Weighing Corporate Interests and Environmental Risks

The immediate focus is on The Metals Company (TMC) and its ambition to mine the resource-rich Clarion-Clipperton Zone in the Pacific – an area teeming with unique life far outside U.S. waters. Their apparent willingness to proceed without full ISA approval is a major point of contention. Indeed, during the ISA’s recent 30th Council session, ISA Member States and Secretary-General Carvalho swiftly condemned an earlier announcement from TMC as a blatant attempt to sidestep international law and undermine multilateral governance.

From our vantage point, connecting researchers and conservationists globally, the potential ecological fallout is immense. As Arlo Hemphill of Greenpeace USA aptly put it, “Authorizing deep-sea mining outside international law is like lighting a match in a room full of dynamite… It threatens ecosystems, global cooperation, and U.S. credibility all at once.” While this order speeds up the process, it’s crucial to remember, as Greenpeace notes, that significant resistance is likely, just as previous attempts faced.

A Divided World and a Fractured Consensus?

This unilateral stance feels increasingly out of step with the global mood. We see a growing international coalition – now 32 countries – calling for a moratorium or at least a precautionary pause on deep-sea mining. Alongside these governments, millions of people worldwide have spoken out against this dangerous emerging industry. They rightly cite the risk of irreversible harm to fragile deep-sea ecosystems. These are habitats critical for biodiversity and climate regulation, ecosystems we strive to highlight and explain. The simple truth is, we still know far too little about the potential impacts of large-scale mining in these remote environments.

This U.S. action risks damaging the global consensus on ocean management carefully built over decades. It forces us to ask hard questions about how we manage shared resources fairly and responsibly. We hear constantly from scientists and conservationists working tirelessly, often in isolated conditions, and for them, this disregard for multilateralism can feel like a significant setback.

The Path Forward

The push for deep-sea mining is gaining speed against a backdrop of serious global opposition. We believe this puts the international community at a critical crossroads. Protecting our shared ocean demands robust global cooperation, transparent rules, and decisions grounded in science – principles we know resonate deeply across the network of people dedicated to ocean health. How the world navigates this challenge will profoundly shape the future of ocean stewardship.

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Living Oceans Foundation Partners with World Technology to Expand Ocean Education

In a powerful alliance for ocean education and advocacy, World Technology has officially welcomed the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation as its newest global content partner. Together, they aim to amplify access to world-class marine science content through the lens of innovation, storytelling, and digital reach.

As a platform dedicated to celebrating human ingenuity in science and technology, World Technology will now host and promote the Foundation’s award-winning educational films, interactive tools, and conservation materials. This strategic partnership brings critical issues like coral reef degradation, overfishing, and climate-driven ocean changes into sharper focus for audiences around the world.

“We are honored to welcome the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation as it works to preserve, protect, and restore the world’s oceans and aquatic resources through research, education, and outreach with science-based solutions,” said Paul J. Foster, Executive Chairman of World Technology.

Established in 2000 under the leadership of HRH Prince Khaled bin Sultan, the Foundation is globally recognized for its groundbreaking coral reef research. Its Global Reef Expedition remains the largest coral reef survey and habitat mapping mission in history.

“At the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, we are committed to advancing ocean literacy and inspiring the next generation of marine stewards,” said Alexandra Dempsey, CEO of the Foundation.

“By partnering with World Technology to share our educational and award-winning films online, we have an incredible opportunity to reach a broader audience and raise awareness about the critical issues facing our coral reefs.”

Two young students concentrate on their schoolwork while sitting at desks in a classroom. — Students participate in an educational program, learning about ocean conservation through classroom activities.

At SEVENSEAS Media, we warmly welcome this collaboration. It’s a great example of what we believe in, connecting groundbreaking ocean science with global education. When expert knowledge becomes accessible to students, educators, and everyday ocean advocates, local conservation efforts gain the global visibility they truly deserve.

Seeing an esteemed foundation like Living Oceans join forces with a platform as innovative as World Technology is exactly the kind of bridge-building the conservation community needs right now. It’s a moment that reaffirms our collective commitment to ocean literacy, equitable access to knowledge, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 4: Quality Education.

🌐 Explore the Foundation’s free Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum and resources: www.lof.org/education/portal

All images provided by the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, used with permission.

About World Technology
World Technology (WT) is a global organization that convenes the worlds of technology, science and
innovation. The World Technology Games is the annual flagship competition celebrating human
ingenuity across Life, Earth, Data and Industrial sciences. Set to debut in 2026, the annual five-day
event will convene scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators from around the world. The
World Technology Summit is staged in key world cities, and focuses on humanity’s greatest
challenges. WT is helmed by an accomplished Leadership team and a Global Advisory Group of
leading experts with a mission to elevate great human ingenuity behind the world’s greatest
advancements of today and tomorrow. Learn more at https://worldtechnology.games

About the Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation
The Khaled bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing
science-based solutions to protect and restore ocean health. Our marine conservation initiatives focus
on preserving coral reefs, restoring mangrove forests, and advancing ocean literacy worldwide.
Through science, outreach, and education, we equip people with the knowledge and tools to
safeguard our oceans while inspiring and training the next generation of ocean stewards. Learn more
at www.LivingOceansFoundation.org