Ten Unforgettable Oceanic Wonders That Will Leave You Breathless in 2024

In the midst of a flood of concerning reports highlighting increasing sea temperatures, melting ice formations, and struggling coral ecosystems, recent revelations about our oceans have ignited curiosity. In 2024, researchers discovered a coral larger than a blue whale, investigated how anglerfish became inhabitants of the deep sea, and revealed that the phenomenon of bioluminescence originated in the ocean over 500 million years ago. Butterflies made a historic cross-Atlantic migration, an Antarctic penguin surprised beachgoers on a sandy shore, and a gray whale undertook a journey thousands of miles from its usual habitat.

If you missed out on these significant saltwater events and more, the National Museum of Natural History’s Ocean Portal team has compiled a list of the ten most extraordinary ocean happenings of the year and outlined them below.

Anglerfish evolved unusual mating habits to thrive in the deep

Anglerfish resemble beings from a different realm, and their distinctive reproductive tactic is just as strange. Males frequently embed themselves permanently within the bodies of their larger female counterparts, a phenomenon referred to as sexual parasitism. In certain instances, the male effectively transforms into a sperm-producing organ. According to a recent study, scientists utilized DNA analysis and fossils to illustrate that this reproductive behavior emerged long ago to ensure survival in the vast, open ocean. The ancestors of anglerfish lived on the ocean floor and navigated using specialized, stout fins, much like their relatives, the batfishes and frogfishes. After the extinction of the dinosaurs, Earth’s temperature surged, causing upheaval in the ocean, prompting early anglerfish to explore deeper waters. Residing in such a broad environment, the world’s largest ecosystem, implies a diminished likelihood of encountering a mate. The evolution of sexual parasitism enabled an effective reproductive approach, allowing these creatures to become the varied deep-sea fish we recognize today.

Bioluminescence initiated in the ocean

10 Interesting Facts About Bioluminescence

Fireflies illuminate the night through bioluminescence, yet they are not the sole creatures capable of generating light naturally. Jellyfish, mushrooms, glowworms, and others emit light as well. This year, researchers at Smithsonian concluded that the earliest occurrence of bioluminescence likely took place in corals approximately 540 million years ago, nearly 300 million years prior to the next known occurrence. Octocorals, which are soft-bodied corals, often glow when disturbed; however, the reason for this phenomenon remains unclear. To unravel this enigma, scientists examined the evolution of bioluminescence within the octocoral lineage using a fusion of fossil evidence and genetic studies. Since bioluminescence exists in numerous contemporary octocorals, researchers deduced that their last common ancestor—a species of octocoral from 542 million years ago—also emitted light.

Rainfall influences sea turtle development

Researchers have long understood that, like other reptiles, the egg development of sea turtles is impacted by the temperature of the nesting site. Elevated temperatures favor the production of females and faster development, while lower temperatures produce larger males. A study released in August in BMC Ecology and Evolution has now established that rainfall also influences the growth of baby turtles. Loggerhead turtles encounter reduced shell sizes with increased rainfall but gain weight, while green turtle hatchlings develop smaller shells without changes in body mass. This finding is crucial since, in the hazardous world of hatchlings, both shell and body size can significantly affect their vulnerability to predators targeting the young reptiles.

Animals traveled the world

Creatures continue to astonish us as they migrate thousands of miles from their typical habitats. In November, beachgoers in Australia experienced one such remarkable event—a tuxedoed emperor penguin waddled toward the sand dunes. The penguin was over 2,000 miles away from its usual icy home in Antarctica and significantly farther north than where this species is typically sighted. Biologists speculated that the penguin may have ventured to Australia in search of food.

Earlier in the year, a marine mammal amazed scientists in the U.S. In March, a gray whale was observed diving south of Nantucket in Massachusetts. Although once prevalent in the Atlantic, gray whales were hunted and eliminated from that region around 300 years ago—only five or so have been sighted there and in the Mediterranean over the past 15 years. Researchers believe this gray whale is likely the same individual spotted in Florida in December 2023, and its journey may have been facilitated by climate change. The Arctic’s Northwest Passage has recently been free of ice during summer, enabling these massive creatures to traverse from the Pacific Ocean into the Atlantic Ocean.

A colossal coral broke a record

A gigantic coral that exceeds the length of a blue whale was uncovered off the coast of the Solomon Islands. The live structure, known as Pavona clavus, orshoulder blade coral, spans 112 feet in width, 105 feet in length and 18 feet in height—and is believed to be over 300 years old. Millions of genetically similar individuals known as polyps merge to create the largest coral ever documented, which can even be observed from outer space. This giant was unintentionally discovered by researchers and filmmakers associated with National Geographic’s Pristine Seas initiative.

Pesto garnered significant attention

Adorable, furry creatures frequently go viral, so it comes as no surprise that Pesto the penguin chick drew considerable interest online. Weighing around 52 pounds by nine months, Pesto was the heaviest baby king penguin ever nurtured at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia. His weight was nearly double that of an average adult penguin—attributed to a “robust appetite” and favorable genetics from his father, Blake. Pesto’s popularity surged following a public gender reveal, resulting in him being viewed almost two billion times on social media. As the year ends, Pesto is entering his awkward adolescent phase and shedding his cute downy feathers in favor of adult plumage suited for swimming. Only time will reveal his final adult weight, but it is likely to be similar to that of other king penguins at 35 pounds.

Researchers revealed butterflies traversed the Atlantic

In 2013, a swarm of worn painted lady butterflies was sighted in French Guiana in South America, halfway around the globe from their usual habitats in Europe and Africa. The means by which they arrived there remained a puzzle—until this year. In a June publication in Nature Communications, scientists established that this was the first recorded instance of insects crossing the Atlantic Ocean. By employing CSI-like forensic techniques, the researchers analyzed the genomes of the butterflies and examined isotopes found in their wings to confirm they originated in either Africa or Europe. The butterflies also carried two types of pollen on their bodies, both derived from plant species found solely in Africa. Additionally, favorable winds blew westward across the Atlantic Ocean at the time the insects likely migrated. Collectively, this evidence strongly suggested that painted lady butterflies successfully crossed the ocean—a monumental accomplishment that probably involved flying and gliding for a duration between five and eight days over a distance of more than 2,500 miles.

Another extraterrestrial ocean might exist

Earth’s ocean is not the sole ocean in this solar system. We’ve identified or theorized numerous others—comprising those on Jupiter’s moons Europa, Callisto and Ganymede, as well as Saturn’s moons Enceladus and Titan. This February, yet another unexpected candidate joined the list. Researchers propose that Saturn’s “Death Star” moon Mimas may possess a concealed ocean hidden beneath layers of solid ice. An initial examination of the cratered moon revealed scant evidence that it could accommodate such a volume of liquid water. However, upon reanalyzing Mima’s rotation and orbit around Saturn, scientists detected minor shifts in both that together imply the moon harbors an ocean. This astonishing revelation provides hope that even more moons in our solar system may contain oceans—potential habitats for life.

An image of an orca sporting a salmon created a sensation

As this year concludes, reports of an odd fashion trend went viral on social media. A photograph of an orca wearing a deceased salmon on its head like a hat incited speculation that a vintage 1980s fashion had resurfaced. Several decades ago, orcas in various pods off the West Coast began donning dead salmon hats, but like all trends, it eventually faded. Two recent encounters of orcas with salmon on their heads in Washington State brought significant attention to the eccentric behaviors of killer whales, though experts warn it is improbable to signify a genuine fashion resurgence. Since the initial two reports, no additional sightings have occurred. Just like humans, whales exhibit personality traits, and while we may never ascertain why these specific orcas opted to wear the dead salmon, the story undoubtedly provided entertainment.

A deep-sea expedition revealed new species

This April, a group of scientists declared they discovered a thriving community of sponges, corals, lobsters, squids, and countless other organisms during dives off the coast of Chile. A recent expedition by the Schmidt Ocean Institute to the underwater mountains of the Salas y Gómez Ridge identified 160 species previously unrecognized in the area, including 50 that are brand new to science. Throughout their explorations, the team set a milestone—documenting the deepest-known photosynthesis-dependent organism in the oceans, a type of wrinkle coral. This research voyage was merely one of several in which the Schmidt Ocean Institute has made fresh discoveries in the Pacific—in January, they identified 100 suspected new species, and in August, they revealed another 20 new species. The team’s ongoing work continues to reveal the vast diversity of shapes and sizes among deep-sea creatures.