I’m dreaming of a white coral…
Lophelia, of course! These deep-sea corals are naturally white in color, different from their colorful surface-level counterparts.
Deep beneath the surface and just 6o miles off the coast of South Carolina, the Blake Plateau is a winter wonderland. No, really! Temperatures along the Blake Plateau average a chilly 39°F, and marine snow falls from the surface daily, landing on a sea floor covered in white Lophelia mountains of wintery magic. Marine snow falls from the surface into the deep and is made up of small decaying bodies of phytoplankton and zooplankton. The marine snow and lophelia corals help to facilitate an entire deep-sea ecosystem. This valuable commodity acts as a food source for deep-dwelling species, including the habitat-engineering deep-sea corals. Fueled by nutrients from the marine snow, lophelia corals build massive mound structures to provide habitat for other deep dwellers.
But, our winter wonderland doesn’t end there! Thorny tinselfish dash through the snow with a silvery gleam. The coral mounds are topped with different kinds of stars: brittle, slime, and even cookie stars! Bioluminescent jellyfish light up the darkness of the eternal night at the bottom of the ocean.
Discovered only within the last few years, the coral neighborhoods thriving under the surface are now considered the largest deep-sea coral habitat in the world. Scientists are still uncovering the magical mysteries of this unseen paradise. Whether you love sharks, fish, crustaceans, or corals, there is much to appreciate about the Blake Plateau.
This undersea habitat remains largely untouched by industry and undisturbed by changing ocean temperatures; scientists hope to keep it that way. If you are interested in safeguarding these corals and their winter wonderland for future generations, you can share the magic of this winter wonderland blog/email with a friend! We’ve also made some holiday cards and gift tags that can be used in your celebrations. Curious to learn more? Check out our Deep-Sea Corals landing page for more information, resources, and blogs!
Happy Holidays!