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World's Largest Coral Discovered
National Geographic explorers have discovered the world's largest coral, three times bigger than the previous record holder, near the Solomon Islands.
French
France
ScienceEnvironmentIndo PacificDiscoveryOceanCoral
National GeographicPristine SeasPlymouth Marine Laboratory
Enric SalaMolly TimmersHelen FindlayEric Brown
- How was the coral formed, and how does it differ from a typical coral reef?
- The massive coral structure is composed of nearly a billion tiny coral polyps and has been growing for approximately 300 years. It's described as a single, autonomous structure unlike a coral reef, which is made of numerous distinct colonies.
- Who made the discovery and where exactly was this massive coral structure located?
- The discovery was made by a National Geographic expedition team in the 'Three Sisters' area of the Solomon Islands. The find highlights the ongoing potential for discovery in even well-explored areas of the world, despite the negative impact of ocean warming and acidification.
- Why do scientists believe the coral is so healthy in comparison to other reefs in the area?
- The coral's location in deeper, cooler waters, protected by a slope and plateau, is believed to be key to its health. This contrasts with shallower reefs in the area that have been negatively impacted by rising ocean temperatures.
- What is the significance of the discovery in the context of climate change and ocean health?
- Scientists believe the coral's survival in a less healthy area offers hope. The discovery demonstrates that significant marine ecosystems can still exist despite the effects of climate change and ocean acidification on other areas.
- What are the dimensions of the newly discovered coral, and how does it compare to the previous record holder?
- The largest coral in the world has been discovered near the Solomon Islands, measuring 34 meters wide and 32 meters long. It's three times larger than the previous record holder and is so large it may be visible from space.