Deep below the ocean’s surface, just off the Central California coast, thousands of octopus gather near an extinct underwater volcano. The Octopus Garden is the largest known aggregation of octopus anywhere in the world. In 2018, researchers first observed thousands of pearl octopus (Muusoctopus robustus) nesting on the deep seafloor at this site near Davidson Seamount.

Over a period of three years, MBARI and a team of collaborators used high-tech tools to monitor the Octopus Garden and learn exactly why this site is so attractive for deep-sea octopus. These images are from a 4K time-lapse camera we deployed at the site for six months, from March 2, 2022 to August 26, 2022. This advanced camera platform operates at extreme pressure two miles deep (3,200 meters). We captured and stored a photo every 20 minutes—the result is a remarkable peek into the cycle of life at this unique biological hotspot.

Watch more incredible video captured at the Octopus Garden:    • Scientists solve mystery of why thous...  

Learn more about this research: https://mbari.co/OctopusGarden

Video credits:
Editor: Kyra Schlining
Science advisory: Jim Barry
Music: Technology (Motion Array)
Production team: Heidi Cullen, Kyra Schlining, Nancy Jacobsen Stout, Susan von Thun