The significant biomass and biodiversity of the ecosystems surprised the researchers, especially since deep-sea ecosystems typically rely on nutrients from the surface that slowly trickle down to ...

A hidden ecosystem of giant sea spiders, octopuses, and other stunning sea creatures shows how life can flourish even when sealed off from the surface by a thick layer of ice. A large sponge ...

Their observations include large corals and sponges supporting an array of animal life, including icefish, giant sea spiders, and octopus. The discovery offers new insights into how ecosystems ...

ROV SuBastian/Schmidt Ocean Institute While most deep-sea ecosystems depend on nutrients that slowly drift down from the surface, these ecosystems are covered by ice about 500 feet thick and are ...