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Flow Layers Rich with Biodiversity

We came across these dipping sheet flow layers rich with biodiversity towards the end of Dive 15 of the 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones expedition. These features hosted multiple Stelodoryx sp. and other sponges. On the bottom side of the overhang, we discovered brisingid (Freyella sp.) sea stars, an unusual form of Chrysogorgia coral, stoloniferous octocoral, and an unusual yellow sponge that formed colonies.

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Credit

Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2021 North Atlantic Stepping Stones: New England and Corner Rise Seamounts.