On a live stream in October 2019, the E/V Nautilus team made an incredible discovery in the depths of the Davidson Seamount off California’s coast. They found the skeletal remains of a whale! Excitement filled the air as someone exclaimed, “It’s a whale fall!”
A whale fall happens when a whale carcass sinks to the ocean floor, creating a rich food source for many deep-sea creatures. “Dinner is served,” one crew member cheerfully noted.
In January 2023, this fascinating moment was enhanced with a stunning 4K remaster of the original footage.
Finding whale falls isn’t common, and most are often stripped bare before they’re discovered. This particular whale, located at about 3,238 meters (10,500 feet) deep in California’s Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, still had some soft tissue and organs, making it a “fresh” find.
What’s intriguing is that the whale was in a unique state of decomposition. While eelpouts were seen feasting on its blubber, bone-eating worms had begun their work, breaking down the oils from the bones. Other scavengers included grenadiers, crabs, and around 15 deep-sea octopuses. One researcher pointed out that in a food-scarce environment, scavenging is a smart move—“Where food is limited, your meal doesn’t run away.”
The whale is estimated at 4-5 meters (13-16 feet) long, with its baleen still visible. Researchers have yet to identify its species. Baleen acts as a filter for these whales, trapping tiny creatures like krill as they feed.
Although this whale’s life has ended, it will leave a rich legacy. Whale skeletons can support diverse communities for years. According to the National Ocean Service, these remains provide a surface for invertebrates and give off sulfides during decay, forming the basis for entire ecosystems in the deep ocean.
In recent years, social media reaction to such discoveries has been vibrant. Many users express fascination with the complex interactions in deep-sea habitats. This whale fall serves as a reminder of the ocean’s hidden life and how even after death, a creature can continue to support a thriving community in the dark depths.
The legacy of this whale will nourish deep-sea life for years, illustrating a remarkable cycle of life and death in the vast ocean.
