Scientists discover hidden deep-sea coral reef off South Carolina Coast
by Lauren Landrum, CNN 31 Aug 2018 21:40 PDT
Alvin collects a sample of Lophelia pertusa from an extensive mound of both dead and live coral © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
If you think Charleston, South Carolina, has plenty of history within its pre-Colonial grounds, just look at what's been hiding 160 miles off the city's coast for thousands of years: a giant deep-sea coral reef system. The chief scientist who helped make the discovery called it unbelievable.
How the hidden reef came to light
Little is known about the natural resources of the deep ocean off the United States' Southeast coast from Virginia to Georgia, so Deep Search 2018 was created to learn more by exploring the deep sea ecosystems. The project, consisting of scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the US Geological Survey, is nearing the end of its 15-day voyage aboard the research vessel Atlantis.
To read more please go to the original article.