The Gakkel Ridge is one of the most mysterious mountain ranges on earth, found deep beneath the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean between Greenland and Siberia. It is volcanically active and home to many deep hydrothermal vents. Very little deep-sea research has been conducted in this region, however an expedition by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in 2007 discovered peculiar white mats of microbes spread across the dark volcanic substrate that contained many new species. It is believed that continued exploration and protection of the area will reveal life forms that are far different than those found elsewhere on Earth, unlocking secrets of our planet.
