Hidden beneath the vast expanse of the Southeast Pacific Ocean are underwater mountain chains that are among the most ecologically rich places on Earth. Stretching almost 3,000km from Rapa Nui in the South Pacific towards the coasts of northern Chile and southern Peru, the seamounts of the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges support over 90 species that are considered endangered, near threatened or vulnerable to extinction, including sharks, seabirds, whales, turtles and corals.
These peaks boast the highest ever recorded levels of marine endemism – meaning species found there and nowhere else. They are vital breeding and nursery grounds for marine life, including commercially important jack mackerel and Humboldt giant flying squid, and hold deep cultural significance for island communities in the Pacific.
