Oceanographers discover massive undersea mountain taller than Mount Olympus

Oceanographers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery in the Pacific Ocean, unveiling a massive undersea mountain that surpasses even Mount Olympus in height. This colossal seamount rises 3,109 metres from the ocean floor, showcasing a previously uncharted underwater world brimming with diverse marine life. The discovery, made during a 28-day expedition aboard the R/V Falkor (too), reveals new species and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive seafloor mapping.

An enormous discovery beneath the waves

The height of a colossal undersea mountain recently discovered by oceanographers from the Schmidt Ocean Institute in California has left the oceanographers in awe. The seamount, located 1,448 kilometres off the coast of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, stands an astounding 3,109 metres tall from the ocean floor—making it even taller than Mount Olympus in Greece.

Mapping the seafloor

The discovery was made during a 28-day expedition aboard the research vessel R/V Falkor (too). The oceanographers utilised advanced sonar technology to map the ocean bed, revealing not only the massive mountain but also a vibrant underwater world teeming with life. This ecosystem includes sponge gardens, ancient corals, and rare marine species, such as a previously unfilmed species of squid.
Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, explained that sound waves travel down, bounce back and forth to the surface, and then return. By measuring the time of sound return, oceanographers can create a detailed map of the seabed.

Only a fraction of the ocean mapped in detail

Despite covering 71% of Earth’s surface, only about 26% of the seafloor has been mapped in such detail. The newly discovered seamount, which rises higher than Greece’s Mount Olympus (2,917 metres), highlights the vast, unexplored biodiversity hidden in the ocean depths.

A rich ecosystem of marine life

The team’s exploration of the mountain's ridges uncovered a treasure trove of marine biodiversity. Among their discoveries was a ghostly white octopus, nicknamed "Casper," marking the first time this deep-sea creature has been observed in the southern Pacific.

Another notable find was two rare Bathyphysa siphonophores, string-like creatures that resemble “flying spaghetti monsters.” Additionally, the researchers captured the first-ever live footage of a Promachoteuthis squid, a species previously known only from a few collected specimens.

A call for marine protection

This expedition was the third in a series of missions to the Nazca Ridge, a region that could soon become the world’s first high seas marine protected area under a new UN treaty. Over the course of the expedition, 25 seamounts were mapped, leading to the discovery of 20 potential new species. These findings will be shared with the Ocean Census initiative, a global project aiming to identify 100,000 unknown species in the next decade.


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