A groundbreaking marine discovery off the west coast of Canada is challenging scientists’ understanding of where and how life can thrive on Earth. Researchers have uncovered what may be the largest known deep-sea nursery: millions of vibrant golden eggs, nestled near the heat vents of an ancient underwater volcano once believed to be dormant.
“This whole thing is wild,” said Cherisse Du Preez, lead scientist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in an email to USA TODAY on May 20. “It challenges what we consider possible for life on this planet.”
Ancient Volcano, New Life
The discovery, originally made in 2023, continues to generate media attention as new details emerge. According to Du Preez, the research team was the first to explore the underwater volcano, unaware that it was still geothermally active.
Beneath the cold, pressurized waters—nearly two miles below the surface—scientists encountered an astonishing sight: a seafloor blanketed in massive golden eggs, believed to number around 2.6 million. The eggs are from the Pacific white skate, a deep-sea relative of sharks known for its bone-white color and large, protruding eyes.
“We think this is a key nursery ground,” Du Preez explained. “The deep sea is cold, and heat helps. To grow big, strong animals, some warmth helps. That’s why the skates lay their eggs directly on the hydrothermal vents.”
Heat-Powered Incubation in the Deep Sea
Hydrothermal vents on the volcano emit mineral-rich, warm water into the surrounding environment—providing a rare oasis in a part of the ocean that is otherwise frigid and inhospitable. According to Live Science, this warmth plays a critical role in egg incubation, helping the skates develop over what may be a decade-long hatching process.
Du Preez emphasized how rare it is to witness such events. “As a first, we filmed a female skate laying her eggs. It’s out of this world,” she said. “But at the same time, more than 90% of our planet’s livable space is the deep sea.”
She also shared video footage of the discovery, including a robotic arm gently lifting one of the glowing gold-colored eggs—an image that has captivated marine scientists and the public alike.
A Discovery That Redefines Possibility
Du Preez and her team are preparing a full scientific report to be published by the Canadian government. The findings not only reveal a remarkable marine ecosystem but also open the door to new questions about evolution, climate resilience, and the potential for life in extreme environments.
“This is more than just a discovery—it’s a reminder of how little we know about our own planet,” Du Preez noted. “The deep sea continues to surprise us.”
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