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The Galápagos Archipelago, formed approximately 10 million years ago through active volcanism, and is globally recognized for its extraordinary biodiversity. While terrestrial ecosystems in the Galápagos Islands have been extensively studied, marine and oceanic research has largely focused on coastal zones where scuba diving is most feasible. In contrast, the deep-sea and seafloor habitats within the Galápagos Marine Reserve remain poorly explored due to challenging conditions, including high pressure, low temperatures, limited light, and intense corrosion. 

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Over the past decade, rapid technological advancements, combined with international expeditions and high-tech equipment, have enabled significant progress in exploring deep-sea habitats worldwide. Landmark discoveries in 2023 revealed cold-water coral reefs in the Galapagos Islands, located within the Eastern Tropical Pacific—a finding of global significance. 

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This project aims to characterize and map deep-sea habitats in the Galapagos Marine Reserve. Specifically, it will assess the megabenthic communities inhabiting pristine cold-water coral reefs and analyze the main environmental drivers influencing biodiversity and spatial distribution, with a particular focus on the seamount Cacho de Coral. 

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The research will contribute to closing the knowledge gap on deep-sea ecosystems in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, while also enhancing understanding of their exceptional biodiversity and fragility. Ultimately, it will underscore the importance of supporting long-term deep-sea conservation strategies and broader regional initiatives, such as the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Conservation Corridor project. 

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