In The Unique Underwater Ecosystems of Submarine Mountains, narrator Sir David Attenborough goes deep beneath the ocean surface, where volcanic eruptions have built enormous submarine mountains — some taller than Mount Everest when measured from the seafloor. These underwater peaks create unique ecosystems, as powerful ocean currents sweep nutrients up their slopes. This influx of nutrients supports vibrant marine communities, including soft corals, whip corals, and giant sponges that filter nourishment from the water. Though these ecosystems thrive in complete darkness, they rely entirely on the energy transported by deep-sea currents. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In The Unique Underwater Ecosystems of Submarine Mountains, narrator Sir David Attenborough goes deep beneath the ocean surface, where volcanic eruptions have built enormous submarine mountains — some taller than Mount Everest when measured from the seafloor. These underwater peaks create unique ecosystems, as powerful ocean currents sweep nutrients up their slopes. This influx of nutrients supports vibrant marine communities, including soft corals, whip corals, and giant sponges that filter nourishment from the water. Though these ecosystems thrive in complete darkness, they rely entirely on the energy transported by deep-sea currents. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.