By understanding growth rates, we can back-calculate the age of these things. |
It's like looking for something in the dark with a flashlight through binoculars. |
There are no seamounts in any of the sanctuaries. |
They're living in close to freezing water. They are these giants living in the sea. |
We were blown away by the size, age and diversity of the deep-water corals we saw during our 2002 Davidson cruise. Indeed, the discoveries we made during that cruise prompted members of the public to propose that Davidson Seamount be protected as part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We wanted to go back to learn why so many extraordinary corals thrive there and to determine their age and growth patterns. |