Thoυsaпds of seamoυпts—most of them υпdersea volcaпoes—tower above the mυddy seafloor. They provide somethiпg hard to come by iп the deep oceaп: a solid sυrface to cliпg to. This photo gallery shows some of the orgaпisms that have foυпd a sυitable home oп seamoυпts.

Manning Seamount Deep Coral Community

Balanus Seamount
A large white coral (Corallium sp.) grows on the Balanus Seamount, part of the New England Seamount chain. Hanging on to the coral are stalkless crinoids and orange brittlestars (Opiacantha sp.) To the left are two vase sponges. This photo was taken on May 22, 2004, at a depth of 1,745 meters (5,725 feet) by the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Hercules.

Sea Star on Coral at Seamount
A bright orange sea star (Novodinia antillensis) clings to a large white soft coral (Paragorgia). This photo was taken on the Manning Seamount at a depth of 1,350 meters (4,429 feet) by the remotely-operated vehicle (ROV) Hercules.

Manning Seamount Deep Coral Communities
Colorful corals and brittlestars inhabit the Manning Seamount in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of New England. Here you can see golden-colored coral (Enallopsamia rostrata), pinkish-brown coral (Solenosmilia variabilis), pink soft coral (Candidella imbricate), and brittlestars (Ophiacantha sp.).