The
Expedition
SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS
The Ocean Census GoSouth: Searching for New Species in the South Sandwich Islands is a 35-day research mission that brings together Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI), The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census, GoSouth (University of Plymouth, British Antarctic Survey, and GEOMAR), and the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI).
South Sandwich Islands
Situated between South America’s Cape Horn and the Antarctic Peninsula lies the Scotia Tectonic Plate, a region shaped by powerful tectonic forces. These forces have created an array of geological features, including hadal zone trenches, underwater volcanoes, and spreading centres.
To the far east of this dynamic seascape are the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, two of the most remote island chains on Earth. Their seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and deep-sea trenches are home to exceptionally high levels of endemism, supporting species found nowhere else in the world.
Mission facts
Dates
20 February – 26 March 2025
Duration
33 days
Location
South Sandwich Islands
Type
Flagship
Image credits
British Antarctica Survey (Photo: Mark Belchier)
Mission brief
The expedition, led by Dr Michelle Taylor (University of Essex), President of the Deep-Sea Biology Society and Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex, aims to map deep-sea habitats and document new species from this rarely visited region of the Southern Ocean. Concurrently, Dr Jenny Gales leads the GoSouth initiative, a collaboration between the University of Plymouth, GEOMAR, and the British Antarctic Survey. This team will survey volcanic flanks to assess the influence of volcanic and earthquake activity on marine ecosystems. Their research will also investigate submarine geohazards, including landslides, tsunamis, and underwater eruptions.
The joint mission aims to map subsea areas and document and sample new marine species using the state-of-the-art science-class ROV SuBastian, capable of reaching depths of 4,500 metres. This advanced tool allows the team to collect biological samples and capture high-resolution imagery of deep-sea ecosystems.
“For much of the expedition, the nearest humans to the team will be aboard the International Space Station, orbiting 400 kilometres above”
Expedition
Highlights
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