Deep Sea Corals

Deep Sea Coral, New England Seamount, NOAA
Iridigorgia coral, New England Seamount, NOAA

Deep sea coral are some of the most remarkable creatures on earth; flourishing in areas mostly devoid of light and supporting diverse ecosystems of the deep. Not only do they provide important habitat for deep sea fish and invertebrates, but they also contribute to the pool of genetic diversity and potential innovation for humans in the treatment of medical conditions.

In the Northeast United States, there are at least 25 different species of both hard and soft deep sea corals. These coral are long-lived and fragile, making them vulnerable to destructive fishing practices. Although little is known about even the most abundant deep sea coral in New England, it is clear they are important animals in the deep sea ecosystem; providing shelter, food, and spawning grounds.

Iridigorgia are deep sea soft corals found in New England whose polyps are arranged in groups of eight. This arrangement deems them part of the group of corals called octocorals. These fragile deep sea corals wind upwards in a striking spiraling pattern, growing sometimes up to six and a half feet tall.

Coral Fossils Tell A Story

Alex Gagnon of the California Institute of Technology discusses the use of coral fossils to tell a story of the ocean at the depth the fossils were found.

Video courtesy of North Atlantic Stepping Stones 2005 expedition, from NOAA's OceanExplorer.noaa.gov Web site

Interview with Rhian Waller

What does it feel like to dive in a submersible at a canyon or seamount? How would you describe the experience?

The Alvin is very small inside with three people (one pilot and two scientists) and it can often take a few hours to get down to the seafloor, so very often you are cramped up by the time you need to start working. But as you approach, the lights go on outside and you can begin to see the shadows on the bottom and different animals and rocks, you forget that you're uncomfortable at all, only remembering 6 hours later when your on the way to the surface!

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