“Deep-Sea Expedition Discovers Real-Life SpongeBob and 57 New Species Off Chilean Coast” — what this page in the network covers. A viral deep-sea expedition led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute has uncovered a real-life doppelgänger for SpongeBob SquarePants and at least 57 new species in the remote waters off Chile. The discoveries were made during a 55-day expedition across the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges, an area spanning 2,900 kilometers (1,800 miles) of underwater mountain chains. Among the standout finds was a bright yellow sea sponge resembling the beloved cartoon character, spotted next to a pink sea star—a pairing that quickly captured public imagination.
The expedition also documented deep-sea corals, glass sponges, squat lobsters, and potentially new species of fish and mollusks. Scientists say the region is a biodiversity hotspot that remains largely unexplored, and these findings underscore the urgent need for marine protection. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.