Revealing the Mysterious Coral and Sponge Gardens of Sur Ridge in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

June 23, 2021

George Matsumoto, Senior Education and Research Specialist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and Hannah MacDonald, graduate student at the University of Rhode Island

Countless mysteries exist in the depths of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS), including Sur Ridge – a deep-sea rocky outcrop off the coast of Big Sur that is roughly the size of Manhattan. Thanks to state-of-the-art marine technology developed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), the stunning deep-sea ecosystems of Sur Ridge are being revealed. Over the last decade, MBARI and MBNMS have partnered to explore and study this remarkable part of the sanctuary and better understand the growing impacts of climate change on the lush coral and sponge gardens discovered there. Join Hannah MacDonald, graduate student at the University of Rhode Island, and George Matsumoto, Senior Education and Research Specialist at MBARI, as they share how an upcoming expedition to Sur Ridge will further our understanding of these precious deep-sea habitats. There will be an opportunity for you to join the research expedition virtually so tune in to find out more!