Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about deep sea, curated daily by BrightWire.
A remotely operated robot exploring one of the world's deepest underwater canyons discovered 57 new species, including a translucent sea cucumber with a horn. Over 17 million people watched the three-week expedition live online.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fb1%2F80%2Fb180ba86-f7df-4b9b-8a16-bb7da22ea355%2Fmbari_bigfinsquid_d1510_01_1920.png)
Scientists aboard a research vessel got the surprise of their careers when a rare bigfin squid drifted into view nearly two miles beneath the Pacific Ocean. It's the first time anyone has seen this ethereal creature alive in the northeastern Pacific.
Scientists discovered how giant deep-sea isopods survive more than five years without eating. The secret? A gene stolen from bacteria millions of years ago that slows their metabolism to a crawl.
After a dramatic 1997 expedition failed to film giant squid using whale-mounted cameras, scientists discovered something better: patience works. A simple baited camera quietly waiting in deep water succeeded where high-tech pursuit had failed.
Underwater robots are learning to pick up valuable rocks from the ocean floor one by one, protecting sea life while gathering materials we need for technology. This gentle approach could change how we source critical minerals without destroying ocean habitats.
Researchers discovered an ancient underwater cemetery in the Indian Ocean filled with whale fossils and thriving ecosystems. The find offers rare insights into whale evolution and the surprising life that blooms around death in the deep sea.
Every night, 10 billion tonnes of tiny sea creatures swim hundreds of meters to the ocean surface and back in the largest animal migration on Earth. Scientists now believe this massive movement could play a surprising role in fighting climate change.
Scientists discovered a new deep-sea fish species living in the Pacific waters off Costa Rica, a reminder that our oceans still hold countless mysteries. The ghost shark has been swimming in these waters for millions of years, just waiting to be found.
A groundbreaking study reveals we've visually explored an area of the deep ocean floor the size of Rhode Island—and scientists are racing to see more. New technology is making the planet's largest ecosystem more accessible than ever before.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F5d%2F4d%2F5d4d74c8-ad77-4fbc-8eba-a7ae619b9a4c%2F1779215358-blue_octopus_cdf.webp)
Scientists just named a tiny blue octopus discovered nearly a decade ago near the Galápagos Islands. The adorable creature fits in the palm of your hand and lives nearly 6,000 feet below the ocean's surface.
Scientists have discovered how a tablet-sized deep-sea creature can survive over five years without eating. The secret is a gene it "stole" from bacteria millions of years ago.
Researchers have formally named a new deep-sea coral species after the Star Wars character, found thriving in complete darkness near Hawaii and the Mariana Trench. The playful discovery reveals the tropical western Pacific may be a hidden hotspot for rare deep-ocean life.