Covering roughly 162,163 square miles in the Pacific Ocean, the Musicians Seamounts chain spans an area bigger than Germany.
The 750-mile-long underwater feature consists of around 65 subsea mountains, with most standing between 2,000 and 4,000 metres tall, equivalent to 1.2 to 2.4 miles, according to Discoverwildlife.
Ancient volcanic eruptions formed the chain between 98 million and 47 million years ago, spanning the Cretaceous to the Paleogene Period. Around 25 of the seamounts carry names honoring famous composers and musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Chopin, Handel, Haydn, Stravinsky, and Schubert.
“The theme was proposed in 1959 by Henry Menard, a scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography,” explained Marine Science Institute, The University of Texas at Austin on its website, as reported by Discoverwildlife.
When National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists explored the region in 2017, they recorded a high diversity of corals, sponges, and marine animals. Observations included glass sponges, arrowtooth eels of the genus Illyophis, rattail fish from the genus Coryphaenoides, and swimming marine worms known as Teuthidodrillus.
Researchers also documented cusk eels belonging to the family Ophidiidae. “Despite their eel-like appearance, with long, thin bodies and bulbous heads, cusk eels are not true eels,” said NOAA Ocean Exploration, pointing out that their unusual shape resembles giant tadpoles.
Expedition dives revealed red coffinfish, scientifically designated as Chaunacops coloratus, which are an anglerfish variety featuring a small lure centered on the face. “Most individuals are pink or pinkish red, with prominent prickles on the head and body, and short cirri,” said NOAA Fisheries, adding that the round, red bodies covered in tiny fur-like spines give them the appearance of soft toys.
Scientists additionally spotted the highfin lizardfish, or Bathysaurus mollis, described by NOAA Ocean Exploration as apex predators in the abyss. “Bathysaurus have beautiful, yellow eyes and a mouth full of impressive teeth,” the organization said, noting that their needle-like gnashers allow them to pounce on prey and strike other large fishes.
At Mendelssohn Seamount, observers watched an orange sea spider prowl across a bamboo coral. Expedition report authors wrote that underwater mountains accelerate currents, generate eddies to clear sediment from the seafloor, concentrate plankton and larvae, and boost the food supply.
