Deep-Sea Mission Unveils Hidden World

Chinese researchers have explored an uncharted section of a volcanic ridge beneath the Arctic Ocean, uncovering one of the planet’s most remote and least studied environments.

“It’s the last piece of the puzzle to understanding this unique Arctic world,” said Xiaoxia Huang, chief scientist at the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering.

Using the crewed submersible Fendouzhe, the team completed more than 40 dives, reaching depths beyond 5,000 metres, and gathered samples of rocks, water and marine life. The newly mapped ridge may host hydrothermal vents that sustain rare ecosystems, offering clues to how life could emerge in frozen oceans on worlds such as Jupiter’s moon Europa. The mission marks a milestone in ocean exploration and a leap forward in understanding life in extreme environments.