Unraveling the Mysteries of Earth’s Least Explored Regions: Abyssal Plains and their Hidden Depths

In March, a 45-day research expedition to the Clarion Clipperton Zone concluded, revealing the pink sea pig and unveiling a multitude of previously unseen species. The University of Gothenburg’s marine ecologist Thomas Dahlgren was part of the team aboard the British research vessel James Cook. Dahlgren describes these deep-sea areas as Earth’s least explored, with only a fraction of the animal species living there known to science.

The area studied is a part of the Abyssal Plains, characterized by depths ranging from 3,500 to 5,500 meters. Despite covering more than half the Earth’s surface, little is known about the fascinating animal life in these regions. Dahlgren finds it exhilarating to be part of discovering new species and ecosystems in a manner reminiscent of the explorations of the 18th century.

Despite scarcity of food due to depths in these regions, creatures living in Abyssal Plains are spread far apart but showcase high diversity of species with unique adaptations such as large sea cucumbers acting as ocean floor vacuum cleaners which highlights intriguing life forms thriving in deep-sea environments.