Channel: oceanexplorergov

Category: Science & Technology

Tags: lophelianoaaexplorationdiscoverycoralsciencedeep search

Description: In August 2018, the DEEP SEARCH science team aboard R/V Atlantis conducted two dives in the Alvin submersible approximately 160 miles off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina. During the dives, the team observed extensive reefs composed of the deep-sea stony coral, Lophelia pertusa. When combined with previously collected mapping data, these visual observations suggest there could be approximately 85 linear miles of discontinuous Lophelia reef off the U.S. East Coast. Prior to this discovery, we did not know this reef was there. In this video, DEEP SEARCH expedition team members Erik Cordes, Cheryl Morrison, Sandra Brooke, and Jason Chaytor discuss the significance of finding this linear coral reef that had gone previously undetected off the U.S. East Coast. Video created by Ivan Hurzeler. For more about the significance of the discovery, visit: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/18deepsearch/logs/aug24/aug24.html For more about making the discovery, visit: oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/explorations/18deepsearch/logs/aug23/aug23.html