Scientists Discover Pristine Deep-Sea Coral Reefs in the Galápagos Marine Reserve!

Scientists onboard the R/V Atlantis have discovered extensive, ancient deep-sea coral reefs within the Galápagos Marine Reserve (GMR) – the first of their kind ever to be documented inside the marine protected area since it was established in 1998. Cresting the ridge of an unmapped submerged volcano at depths between 400-600m (1,310-1,970 feet), and stretching over several kilometers, the impressive reef structure was first recorded by CDF’s Senior Marine Research Dr. Stuart Banks who was diving in the deep-sea research submersible Alvin alongside Dr. Michelle Taylor from the University of Essex, UK. Video courtesy of L. Robinson (U. Bristol), D. Fornari (WHOI), M. Taylor (U. Essex), D. Wanless (Boise State U.) NSF/NERC/HOV Alvin, 2023 ©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution