Blue Christmas: What the Blake Plateau teaches us about Advent

Off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina is an ecological treasure trove found in a region called the Blake Plateau. This extraordinary sacred ecosystem is home to the world's largest deep-sea coral reef habitat, where floating Sargassum seaweed meadows nurture colossal sperm whales, bluefin tuna, whale sharks, threatened loggerhead sea turtles, rare seabirds, and thousands of other species. 

When we think of coral reefs and the life they hold, it’s natural and easy to imagine bright colors and sunlight weaving through the water. What is fascinating about the Blake Plateau is how life is formed in complete darkness. The reef-like structures in the Blake Plateau are mainly made up of a deep-sea coral named Lophelia, which is a ghostly white. The Lophelia coral “mounds” grow in complete darkness over tens of thousands of years, supporting a diverse community of wildlife, including close to 100 species of fish.

In addition to providing an important habitat for fish and marine life, the deepsea corals on the Blake Plateau consume organic matter that rains down from the ocean’s surface and recycle it into essential nutrients for the entire ecosystem. As the Gulf Stream rolls over the plateau, it pushes these nutrients back up to the surface, supporting the ocean’s wildlife. These nutrients ultimately sustain the region’s fisheries, and all of us who rely on them. 

As the Blake Plateau reminds us of the beauty of the darkness, the Season of Advent invites us to sit with the darkness, creating space for quiet and centering. Like the deep sea coral offers life giving nutrients across the Ocean, Advent offers hope and reignites our imagination of healing and restoration for all of Creation. This Advent, may we embrace this Season of darkness to sustain our collective work together.

Madison Mayhew
Policy and Advocacy Manager
Creation Justice Ministries