A fortuitous team of scientists had the opportunity to venture into an uncharted region of the Antarctic following the unexpected break of an ice shelf. This event exposed a previously unseen seafloor and a previously inaccessible ecosystem hundreds of meters below the surface. On board the research vessel “R/V Falkor (too)” from the Schmidt Ocean Institute in January 2025, an ice mass equivalent in size to Chicago separated from the George VI Ice Shelf, a floating glacier situated 57 miles away.
Dr. Jyotika Virmani, the executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, expressed astonishment at the swift access to the newly revealed area, stating, “This is unprecedented, to be able to get there so quickly.” The Schmidt Ocean Institute is a charitable organization that supports ocean exploration and scientific research.
Dr. Patricia Esquete, the lead scientist on board, recounted the unanimous decision to investigate the site, saying, “We were like ‘Oh my God, I cannot believe this is happening.’ Everybody agreed that we had to go there.” Within a day, the vessel arrived at the location, deploying a submersible robot to explore the region over 1,000 meters below the surface and stream footage back to the scientists.
The researchers were immediately met with sights previously unseen by human eyes, including a large sponge with a crab perched atop, signaling signs of life in the ecosystem. The team’s discoveries also included vast corals, sponges, icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopi, indicating a thriving ecosystem that had likely been flourishing for centuries.
The expedition continued for eight days, during which the remotely operated vehicle unveiled more species previously unknown to science. Notably, researchers identified at least six new species, with further analysis pending. The team is now investigating the energy sources sustaining the ecosystem, hypothesizing that ocean currents might be delivering vital nutrients to the area.
Due to the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s commitment to open access, all research findings, data, and livestreams are available for other scientists to study and interpret. Dr. Esquete emphasized that their exploration of the newfound ecosystem is far from complete, with plans to return to the area in 2028 to further unravel the mysteries of this rapidly changing Antarctic environment.
“King crabs are observed interacting on the seafloor in the Bellingshausen Sea near Antarctica, within a region characterized by underwater gullies cutting through the shelf break and slope. Credit goes to ROV SuBastian, courtesy of the Schmidt Ocean Institute. Saturday Sessions feature performances by Tune-Yards of “Heartbreak” and “Limelight”. Discover the comeback story of an iconic New York City restaurant.”
