Leaving the land and sailing towards the heart of the ocean, a vast blue desert appears. There are no seagrass or coral reefs to be found, and it seems devoid of any signs of life. Here, large schools of mackerel gather in the thousands to spawn. As they congregate, the predators take an interest. A pod of common dolphins appears, followed closely by a group of bottlenose dolphins. The dolphins work together to herd the mackerel into a tight ball. There is no escape for them. The mackerel school disperses into smaller groups, and the predators, having finished their meal, return to the depths of the sea. Such hunting gatherings, which occur briefly in the vast ocean, are a force that happens both at the surface and deep below, rising the underwater mountains and breathing life into the planet's immense geological structure.

Six million years ago, a massive crack formed on the Earth's surface. Magma erupted, and the Atlantic Ocean, the youngest ocean on Earth, opened up as it was pushed away from the European continent. The site of that split can still be seen today in Silfra, Iceland. It is a mid-continental area between two continents; on the left is America, and on the right is Europe. Over millions of years, this crack extended, creating the Atlantic Ocean. Under the new ocean, a massive ridge formed, resulting in the longest mountain range on Earth. The ridge stretches 16,000 kilometers across the ocean's center and plays a crucial role for marine life. 

1600 kilometers west of Portugal, brave explorers are preparing to dive into the depths of the ocean. They are on a mission to uncover the secrets of life that dwell in the central ocean ridge. Kirsten Joachin Yassen is participating directly in this endeavor.

I created a submarine. The two people communicate with the ship above as they search for the ridge. Thank you. At a depth of 200 meters, sunlight does not reach the ocean floor. When you go deeper than 600 meters, a world as unfamiliar as outer space unfolds. After nearly an hour of descent, they finally reach the seabed at a depth of 1 meter. Here, just under 100 meters of movement leads to the center. This battlefield is a vacant letter covered in mud crabs. However, as they move towards the ridge, life begins to appear. The first part of the central ridge of the ocean has emerged in this deep sea, revealing a magnificent garden. There are fan corals and sea anemones as well. In the Jacobsen area, species that have been completely unknown to the scientific community for the past 20 years have been discovered. A rich food chain has formed in this underwater world as well.

The camouflaged anglerfish snatches passing prey, while the squid slices through fish with its sharp beak. The octopus overwhelms its prey. There is plenty of food for the predators here. The scythe shark, measuring up to 5 meters in length, has hardly changed over more than 200 million years. These predators move slowly to conserve energy and feed on the whale carcasses that fall from above. Some animals have very clever ways of defending themselves. The long-bodied sea dog doesn't go far without its umbrella. This is not camouflage; it lives in a pitch-dark world. Scholars believe that the long-bodied sea dog uses its unique body to evade predators. How did the mountain range become such a rich oasis of life? The currents flowing through the area are abundant in nutrients.

Here, the current collides with the ridge, providing a source of food for the astonishing pyramid of life. The ridge in this city marks the beginning. Following the currents that are blocked by the mountain range, we dive and ascend. During the ascent, we encounter other creatures that rely on the nutrient-rich upwellings. The moon jellyfish can grow to over 1 meter in width. Thousands of lights shimmer as they move along the seafloor. Next, we see the lantern shrimp; these small creatures are prey for the massive white-whale. 

At the edge of the sunlit zone, we can see fascinating creatures like the jewel squid. Its eyes are different sizes, making it well-suited for hunting in this unique environment. The large eye looks for the shape of prey illuminated by faint light, while the small eye searches for bioluminescent creatures in the shadows. The submarine finally enters the illuminated zone.

We have returned, and where the rising light meets, an oasis of life forms in the center of the ocean. There are small fish like mackerel and gluttonous predators like barracuda. Many animals migrate thousands of kilometers to match the abundance of food during the summer. A ray, over 3 meters wide, has come from the African sea. The magnificent predator of the ocean desert, the hammerhead shark, also arrives. Among the toothy creatures, the largest of them all, the sperm whale, has come. Sperm whales hunt giant squid at depths of 1,000 meters. They even eat sharks. Thanks to the rich waters, hundreds of sperm whales can find food here. The ocean is truly an oasis of life. In areas where volcanic activity is very intense and has created ridges, some mountain ranges have risen above the sea. A million years ago, a volcanic peak broke through the surface just south of the equator.

I have arrived at Ascension Island, one of the remote islands in the South Atlantic. The ecosystem here is quite unique. The shallow waters surrounding the island are dominated by a single fish, the jack, which has traveled this far across the vast ocean with hardly any competitors. Because of the jack, which eats anything it can find, it is difficult for corals or seaweeds to establish themselves and thrive. Young sea turtles, which have fallen into the water, are a welcome delicacy. Injured or sick jacks cannot survive for long. The island, under the equatorial sun, which often exceeds 30 degrees, is lined with volcanic formations, resembling a desert. Centuries ago, Dutch sailors who needed fresh water recorded in their diaries that they survived for six months by drinking the blood of sea turtles. There are castaways who have fully settled on Ascension Island. The largest native species on the island, the Ascension frigatebird, is about the size of a human fist.

The sea turtles have survived by foraging in the lava plains. To escape the scorching sun of the equator, they live in the cooler and more humid clouds on the mountains. However, the eggs must hatch in the sea. Therefore, the females embark on an annual journey toward the ocean. They usually move at night instead of during the hot day. The turtles gather at several beaches, perhaps reminiscent of the first time they came ashore as adults. In some cases, they must cut across half of an island, which is equivalent to walking 160 kilometers for a human. They drink from puddles, but instead of drinking with their mouths, they absorb water with their hind legs. As dawn breaks, a week-long trek comes to an end. However, the females that have made it this far avoid the ocean due to the predatory blacktip reef sharks that pose a danger. They gather in caves at the edge of the beach to escape the sunlight, waiting for nightfall.

The sound of the waves fills the air as we wait. The fish prepare to go to sleep. There are almost no predators for them here, so they do not have to hide. However, they must always be careful of the powerful waves crashing onto the shore and the sun sweeping over them. The spikes of the sea urchins serve as a defense mechanism, while the fish use this area to anchor themselves in one spot. The fish have fallen asleep just before dawn. It is the moment that the female fish have been waiting for. The time has come as the waves roll in. The young fish shake their bodies vigorously at the edge of the waves and release their eggs. Small mole crabs emerge from the sand and eat the eggs. However, there are so many fish that millions of eggs make their way into the sea. The baby fish will feed on the abundant nutrients around the island to survive. Some will return to the beach weeks later, settling in this special place just as their ancestors did.

Islands formed by volcanic activity are much more likely to be rich in life if they are closer to the mainland. Located over 360 kilometers off the coast of Brazil, the island of Fernando de Noronha rises over 4,000 meters above sea level from a central ridge in the ocean. However, the commonality is that it is all part of Brazil's mainland, which allows many seeds to be brought here by wind and water. Since land predators have never swum this far, Fernando de Noronha is also a paradise for birds. The red-footed booby is one of the many species that breed on this island, along with the little white-tailed gull. The black-tailed gull is commonly known as the widow. These birds build their nests using seaweed. This island is not only safe but also has a rich sea right next to it.

There are nutrient-rich currents that hit the steep sides of the island, causing them to rise to the surface. Due to the abundant food, there are amazing animals that love this island. Around the island, you can often see male spotted dolphins performing aerial spins. The dolphins hunt for squid at night and gather in groups of over 2,000 during the day to rest in the shallow waters around the island. This is home to the world's largest population of spotted dolphins. Because so many dolphins gather here, researchers have been able to study their behavior and gain insights into their complex social lives. Older males take turns watching for predators like sharks, ensuring that no danger is present. Meanwhile, the rest of the group enjoys their social activities safely. The calves play in the center of the pod while the adults socialize and relax.

The method is astonishingly similar to that of humans. This is about a scientist studying dolphins who inferred answers to important questions regarding spotted dolphins. Recently, scientists have focused on the loud sounds dolphins make when they hit the water. They believe that dolphins are more likely to rotate when a boat approaches, as a response to recognizing a threat. Here, we can often see the snake mackerel. Their primary defense mechanism is to lure the snake mackerel away. However, aerial rotation is also a method. This sound serves as a signal to alert the group to danger while simultaneously startling the predator into fleeing. The volcanic activity that created the Fernando de Noronha archipelago has turned it into a tropical paradise due to its strategic location close to the mainland. The seas further south are volcanic.

The actions here also have a significant impact on the local wildlife. The wandering albatross navigates the vast South Atlantic Ocean. It is an animal perfectly adapted to finding oases in the ocean. Its wings span three meters, and it spends most of its life in the sky. While gliding above the surface, it catches fish and squid to eat. The frigid stormy sea may seem uninviting, but it is rich in food. You just need to know where to go. At a depth of 2,000 meters, a remotely operated submarine unexpectedly discovered a remarkable world. Erupting from a 12-meter-high vent, extremely hot artifacts are released into the icy sea. Life exists here; giant colonies of white chicks are scattered around. There are also large creatures the size of dinner plates. They depend on the sulfuric resources in the water to survive, but they are always surrounded by hot water.

They are exposed to the risk of overheating. The name Hoff is derived from the actor David Hasselhoff, and it refers to the thick chest fur. Bacteria living in that fur consume sulfur-containing chemicals, and Hoff consumes those bacteria. Males spend their entire lives in warm waters, competing for the best spots and mates. The life of females is more difficult. Their eggs are easily damaged by heat and sulfur, so they must move to lower water levels. In these cold, food-scarce areas, the female's body begins to decay. If the female can hold on until she gives birth, the pups will be carried by the currents to find such oases. Geological forces have created the habitat of the Hoff dogs and formed a massive thermal archipelago in the southern seas. The South Sandwich Islands are volcanic islands that emerged 5 million years ago.

이 황량한 땅은 지금도 뜨거운 유황 가스를 뿜어내고 있습니다. 그러나 보이는 이 섬에도 생명이 존재합니다. 그것도 아주 많습니다. 해마다 만 마리 이상의 펭귄이 찾아옵니다. 전 세계적으로 손꼽힐 만큼 거대한 펭귄 서식지 중 하나가 남극해의 수백 개에 달하는 서식지입니다. 펭귄들은 남극해를 변화시킨 지질학적 격변 덕분에 번성하고 있습니다. 4천만 년 전 남미 대륙과 남극 대륙이 분리되면서 강력한 대양 해류가 지구의 남쪽을 순환하게 되었습니다. 남극 환류는 해양의 영양분을 휘저으며 남쪽 바다를 풍요롭게 합니다. 그중 한 지류는 오클랜드 제도 근처까지 흘러, 햇빛과 해양의 영양분이 만나는 이 얕은 바다에서 성장 속도가 빠른 바닷속 숲이 만들어집니다. 갈조류인 자이언트 프는 하루에 최대 60cm 자랍니다. 이 바닷속 숲에는 많은 생명체가 있습니다.

Animals thrive. Many creatures, such as sea cucumbers, raise their young in this forest. Sea cucumbers do not release their offspring until they can fend for themselves. The most important role here is played by the lobster, a close relative of the crab, which helps to process carcasses in the forest. Two lobster crabs roam the area, and by late summer, young lobster crabs gather in large groups. Many animals have the opportunity to eat their fill. The gentoo penguins breed in sync with the availability of food. The adult gentoo penguins return to the nest. Every year, over a thousand gentoo penguins breed in the Falkland Islands. The parents take turns going to the shore to feed their chicks, but the chicks must first catch hold of their parents. Finally, the parents...

They stop and feed the baby crabs. Half-digested lobster krill must wait for the next turn to come back for more. However, danger lurks in the water; southern sea lions are patrolling the shallow waters. The herds rush into the boats. The land is not safe either. Sea lions can chase penguins all the way up to the beach. It seems that the baby penguins' habit of running around helps them in situations like this. Oh, they were lucky. Still, with so many penguins coming in and out of the sea, the sea lions will soon be able to fill their bellies. To the south of the Auckland Islands, a strong Antarctic current flows vigorously, infusing life into the southwestern ocean. Headed dolphins eat small fish and crustaceans, while humpback whales feast on large swarms of krill.

There is an abundance of food for the animals. There is a place that is surprisingly full of life, which has received special attention. The South Georgia Island, 170 kilometers long and about 24 kilometers wide, is located at the peak of an underwater mountain range where the South Atlantic current flows strongly. Although fierce storms blow here, life thrives in this region. The nutrient-rich Antarctic current crashes against the steep island and rises to the surface. Even in summer, it can be quite cold, but the water is rich in oxygen, which is the source of life. In these bountiful waters, around 15 species of creatures live. Many animals come here to breed, including penguins and the South Georgia pintail duck. The wandering albatross, which stays in the sky, comes down to land every two years. Most wandering albatrosses breed on South Georgia Island, and they are often at risk of having their precious eggs stolen.

There are almost no land predators. The young begin their lives after spending nine months in the nest. People flocked to South Georgia Island to profit from its abundance. Captain James Cook, who discovered the island in 1775, informed Britain of its riches. This led to the slaughter of elephant seals, and for over 50 years, more than a million animals were sacrificed, driving the seals to the brink of extinction. In the early 20th century, whaling ships appeared. The whaling industry quickly grew, but it soon collapsed. People realized in 1965 that hunting could no longer continue, but the island remained empty. However, the hunting in the surrounding waters continued, and the damage was inflicted on the albatross. Industrial-scale fishing began in earnest in the 1960s. Trawlers targeted rock cod and icefish.

They were caught indiscriminately, and the industry expanded without any regulations, using bait like albatross. However, these days, there is hope. Longline fishing boats must follow regulations designed to reduce albatross bycatch. They need to attach heavy weights to fishing lines and set the lines at night when the birds cannot see the bait. Additionally, when pulling up the lines, they should spread colored tape to prevent the birds from approaching the hooks. The data collected from fishing boats is transmitted directly to scientists. This is an effort to prevent the decline of wandering albatross populations through collaboration between industry and science. If fishing boats around the world participate in these efforts, it will be hopeful for these magnificent birds. Today, South Georgia Island is regaining its vitality, and southern ocean species are returning as well.

As winter fades and summer arrives, the island transforms. Wild animals have returned to this place, which was once a base for whale and seal hunting. Above, emperor penguins gather, while seals play among the wreckage. Among the animals that nearly vanished from this area, Antarctic fur seals have shown remarkable resilience. Today, 90% of the world's fur seals breed on this island. Approximately 3 million seals visit, and about 500,000 southern elephant seals, which represent half of the global population, come here. Throughout the world, marine mammals gather in such large numbers, with around 500,000 present on the island. There are a total of 87 bird species that can be seen on South Georgia Island, including the wandering albatross. Although it is a remote island in the cold ocean, the number of animals occupying every corner is overwhelming.

This is a representative location of the Atlantic that shows how mountains can transform a green desert into an oasis of life. What made all of this possible is the immense geological forces that gave birth to the gigantic ocean millions of years ago.

수심 천 미터가 넘는 심해, 그곳에서 발견된 놀라운 생명체들🔍 | 야생의 바다, 대서양 2부 심해의 산맥 - 남대서양  #BBC

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