There are thousands of people hooked to streaming. One to 3,900 kilometers deep full of marine curiosities (and memes)

In the Submarine Canyon of the Sea of La Plata, near Argentina, something of the most curious happens: two powerful currents coincide. One is salty and warm. The other, cold and very rich in nutrients. The union of both is the Confluence Brazil-Malvinas And it is important in the Earth’s climate regulation. It is known that there is a huge ecosystem down there, one of which little is known and that, at the moment, it is being explored live by an underwater rov next to thousands of people who, since July 23, They follow their live emissions Through YouTube.

The mission. These submarine cannons hide a varied species ecosystem in their recesses. In 2012 and 2013, the Continental I, II and III of CONICET expeditions (National Council for Scientific and Technical Research of Argentina) used fishing and drag networks to explore the bed, discovering new species and leading to the publication of more than 60 Papers. Now, in 2025, technology has improved and It is possible to explore depths up to 3,900 meters with a vehicle operated remotely.

Continental slope IV: Underwater Oases of Mar del Plata Canyon. That is the name of this new mission, an expedition of CONICET in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute. As explained from the Council, “it is the first time that in the Argentine Aguas of the Southwestern Atlantic the remotely operated vehicle (Rov) is used, capable of capturing underwater images in ultra high definition and collecting samples without altering the environment.” The funny thing is that the adventures of this rov They are broadcast live through YouTube.

The goal. In addition to studying the Argentine seabed as it has not been possible to generate 3D models of emblematic species to produce educational material. The one who has interest can access the data collected completely free through open repositories such as CONICET Digital, Bish and Genbank.

Image | CONICET

How is the thing going? According to Explain The CONICET researcher in the MACN and scientific chief of the expedition, Daniel Lauretta, “we are barely starting and we see incredible things: animals that had never registered in this area, underwater landscapes that seem from another planet, and behaviors that surprise even the most experienced scientists.” It also states that being able to broadcast it live makes “science is somewhat distant or inaccessible, and becomes part of the day to day. In addition, it forces us to explain what we do clearly, without turns, so that anyone can understand and enjoy it.”

The memes. That streaming has become so popular, has undoubtedly helped the collective ingenuity when seeing comedy in the seabed. It is an unknown territory for most and the species that live there are striking. That is why it is not surprising that networks like X have been filled with captures, memes and funny texts with these species as protagonists. The capture of that sea star has gone around the world, but it is not the only one.

As for whatever, users have baptized it as “Estrella Culona” | Image: Xataka Argentina

Caught in fraganti | Image: Xataka Argentina

A violet benthodytes. His nickname: Batatita | Image: Xataka Argentina

“Me and the boys together to see a stream of the CONICET,” says an X user | Image: @Genaro23101

Jokes apart, why there? The Malvinas current moves north from Antarctica to almost Río de la Plata, dragging cold and nutrient rich from Antarctica to the Patagonian platform. This current is very important for Argentina and its fishing industry, valued at 2,000 million dollars According to Schmidt Ocean Institute. The current of Brazil, more superficial (700 meters or less), transports warm and salted water from Ecuador to Rio de la Plata.

Where both currents collide a strong thermoclin that, in turn, and due to temperature differences, generates rotating currents that redistribute heat, helping to regulate the climate of the earth. As explained by the institute, “the mixture of these two mass of water so different probably creates conditions that facilitate the coexistence of temperate and tropical organisms, as well as species that can only be found in the confluence.” Hence this area has so much scientific interest.

Image | CONICET

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