A brittlestar wraps itself around a soft coral (Paramuricea). Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).
A brittlestar wraps itself around a soft coral (Paramuricea). Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Gulf of Mexico 2012. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).
Dive 11 was conducted today on the Sigsbee Escarpment, exploring the steep, south facing slope from approximately 2090 to 1830 meters depth. Steep to vertical cliffs dominated slope areas deeper than 1900m. Occasional steps in the slope and rock fragments provided habitat for deep-water corals and associates. The slope above 1900m was more gentle, with predominantly sedimented seafloor. Outcrops provided homes to occasional corals, anemones, encrusting sponges and other organisms. Today's dive represented the first look at deep-water coral communities in this region.
