Illustrations of potential Outstanding Universal Value in the High Seas
30 July 2016
In 2016, IUCN and UNESCO published the first global scientific analysis of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction that could potentially meet at least one of the four natural World Heritage criteria. Sites included White Shark Café, Costa Rica Thermal Dome, Lost City Hydrothermal Field, Atlantis Bank and Sargasso Sea.
More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/highseas
More information: https://whc.unesco.org/en/highseas
11 photos
2.
Diverse coral gardens and complex sea-cliff deep-sea communities characterized by large anemones, large sponges and octocorals at the Atlantis Bank, South West Indian Ocean.
Copyright: © The Natural Environment Research Council and IUCN/GEF Seamounts Project C/O Alex D Rogers.
Date: 09/12/2011
Pixels: 2592x1944
4.
Photomosaic of a 13 m-tall carbonate chimney called Ryan. Long term seepage of fluids from steep cliffs bounding the eastern side of the Lost City Hydrothermal Field has resulted in beautiful arrays of narrow pinnacles that reach many tens of meters in height.
Copyright: © Credit: D.S. Kelley and M. Elend, School of Oceanography, University of Washington.
Pixels: 940x1314
5.
The three-story-tall actively venting carbonate tower called IMAX protrudes from the north face of a much larger edifice called Poseidon in the Lost City Hydrothermal Field. Poseidon rises ~60 m above the surrounding seafloor. The area has been active for >120,000 years.
Copyright: © Credit: D.S. Kelley and M. Elend, School of Oceanography, University of Washington.
Pixels: 986x1303