Ghost ships to ghost sharks: 10 wildest underwater discoveries of 2024

The discovery of the HMS Trooper submarine was a major breakthrough in maritime archaeology. The submarine disappeared in 1943 with all 64 of its crew during a secret mission near Greece. For nearly 25 years, researchers had been searching for the wreckage, making as many as 14 attempts to locate it. Finally, in 2024, they were able to find the submarine using sonar technology and an ROV called “Super Achille.”

The discovery shed light on the fate of the crew and confirmed that the HMS Trooper had indeed struck a German mine, leading to its sinking. The submarine’s location and condition provided valuable insights into this tragic event from WWII. The discovery not only honored the memory of the crew but also allowed for a better understanding of the historical context surrounding the submarine’s mission.

The find of the HMS Trooper was a testament to the advancements in underwater technology and the dedication of researchers to uncovering lost maritime history. It served as a reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime and the importance of preserving and studying these historical artifacts. The discovery of the HMS Trooper was a significant moment in maritime archaeology, providing closure to a decades-old mystery and adding to our knowledge of WWII naval history.

The Trooper, a ship that met its demise in the Icarian Sea near the Greek island of Donoussa, now rests in three separate parts at the bottom of the sea, estimated to be 830 feet deep. This historical wreck is a reminder of the dangers and mysteries of the ocean depths, where countless secrets lie waiting to be discovered.

World’s largest coral formation is longer than a blue whale

The biggest animal in the world may be the blue whale, but researchers in 2024 determined that the biggest intertwined community of animals is undoubtedly the recently discovered Pavona clavus coral colony. Measuring in at 111 feet wide, 104 feet long, 18 feet high, and 600 feet around, the standalone coral system formed in the southwest Pacific Ocean over the last 300 years, and can even be seen from space.

New ghost shark species found in New Zealand

Ghost sharks, also known as “spookfish,” technically aren’t sharks, but instead are a group of fish that are closely related to the ocean predators. One of the newest additions to the family this year was Harriotta avia, described as having an “elongated, narrow and depressed snout; long, slender trunk; large eyes; and very long, broad pectoral fins” as well as possessing “lovely chocolate brown color.” But don’t expect to encounter one in the open waters—Harriotta avia lives near New Zealand at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, roughly 8,350 feet below surface waters.

‘Dark oxygen’ on ocean floor may rewrite the origins of life

One of the wildest underwater discoveries of 2024 wasn’t a new species of life, but chemical processes that might rewrite our understanding of the origins of life itself. Earlier this year, researchers published findings related to polymetallic nodules—natural mineral deposits located on the pitch-black ocean floor. Despite lacking sunlight, however, evidence suggests these formations appear to function as “geobatteries” capable of generating trace amounts of oxygen that help sustain deep-sea life. If true, then the planet’s very first living organisms may have gotten their start in a place no one once thought could support life at all.

New jellyfish discovered near Japan may contain multitudes of venom