Q. What is ‘Salas y Gomez’, recently seen in the news?
Answer:
Oceanic ridge in the Southeastern Pacific Ocean
Notes: Scientists recently found 160 marine species in the Salas y Gomez ridge, an oceanic ridge in the Southeastern Pacific. This region, isolated by the Atacama Trench and the Humboldt Current System, boasts high marine endemism. Most waters are beyond national jurisdiction, leaving 73% of the area unprotected. The discovery, including at least 50 new species, was made during an expedition to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), fueling consideration for high seas marine protection.