During one of the Gradients of Blue Economic Seep Resources expedition dives, scientists found an expansive microbial mat with many different types of life around it, including this sablefish (black cod). In addition to these “expected” seeps, the team also encountered seeps in unexpected places, such as little pockets of seepage that appeared widespread on the seafloor and like ghosts in the multibeam. In one case, they found a wall of seeps with none of the large animals (clams, worms) that could be taking advantage of this food from the deep. These unexpected discoveries help to advance understanding of seeps in the ocean and of the ocean in general.

From: Peering into the Dark, Finding the Unexpected.