Australian Research Expedition Maps and Samples Unexplored Indian Ocean Seamounts
A scientific team from multiple Australian institutions completed a voyage aboard the CSIRO research vessel Investigator to explore previously unmapped deep seamounts in the Indian Ocean Territories near Christmas and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The expedition collected marine specimens, documented biodiversity, and created detailed 3D seafloor maps of these underwater mountains, some reaching 4,000 meters high. Findings included various deep-sea creatures like jellyfish, squat lobsters, and unusual fish species. The collected specimens will be distributed to museum collections for ongoing research, providing baseline data for conservation management in Australia's marine parks.
Key facts
- Scientific expedition explored unmapped seamounts in Indian Ocean Territories
- Team included researchers from Australian Museum, CSIRO, Museums Victoria, Western Australian Museum
- Used specialized equipment like beam trawls to collect specimens from depths up to 5,000 meters
- Created first detailed bathymetric maps of seamounts including Muirfield Seamount
- Collected diverse marine life including jellyfish, crustaceans, sea stars, and deep-sea fish
Entities
Institutions
- Australian Museum
- CSIRO
- Museums Victoria Research Institute
- Western Australian Museum
- Australian National Fish Collection
- South Australian Museum
- Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
- Western Australia Museum
- University of Sydney
Locations
- Indian Ocean Territories
- Christmas Island
- Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- Australia
- Cocos Keeling Islands