The largest coral ever recorded has been discovered by scientists in the southwest Pacific Ocean, and it could be over 300 years old. This mega coral, which consists of numerous tiny creatures that form a single organism rather than a reef, was found to be larger than a blue whale.
The coral was discovered by videographer Manu San Felix, who was working on a National Geographic expedition to remote areas of the Pacific Ocean to investigate how climate change is affecting the region. While diving at a site marked on the map as a shipwreck, San Felix stumbled upon the coral. He called his diving partner, his son Inigo, to help explore the find. San Felix described the coral as resembling a “cathedral underwater,” a breathtaking sight that filled him with immense respect for the resilience of the organism that has existed for centuries. “It was here when Napoleon was alive,” he reflected.
Located in the Solomon Islands, the coral was measured at 34 meters wide, 32 meters long, and 5.5 meters high, making it the largest known coral in the world. Researchers on the National Geographic team used underwater tape measures to confirm its size.
Coral reefs are facing growing threats due to climate change and rising ocean temperatures. These vital ecosystems, often referred to as the “architects of the seas,” support vast marine life, from fish to invertebrates, and provide essential resources for over a billion people through fishing and tourism. This particular coral, found in deeper waters than most reefs, may have been shielded from the damaging effects of surface temperature increases.
The discovery of the coral was announced alongside the UN climate talks (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, which are focused on tackling global climate change. Trevor Manemahaga, the climate minister for the Solomon Islands, expressed pride in the find and emphasized the importance of protecting such habitats. “We rely on marine resources for economic survival, and it’s crucial that we protect our coral,” he said.
Small island nations like the Solomon Islands are particularly vulnerable to climate change, with more powerful cyclones and rising seas threatening their land. Manemahaga noted that increased financial support for the Solomon Islands would help create sustainable jobs and reduce the environmental damage caused by industries like logging, which pollutes the waters and harms coral reefs.
Eric Brown, a coral scientist on the research expedition, commented that the health of the coral appeared to be in good condition, providing hope amidst the decline of other reefs. The coral, identified as Pavona clavus, hosts a range of marine creatures like shrimp, crabs, and fish, and its age offers a valuable glimpse into past ocean conditions.
However, the future of coral reefs is uncertain. A recent report from the International Union for Conservation of Nature revealed that 44% of corals in warm waters are at risk of extinction, a sharp increase from 2008, highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts to protect these fragile ecosystems.
