Scientists Discover Largest Coral In The World Near Solomon Islands, Bigger Than A Blue Whale

Scientists have found the largest coral in the world near the southeastern end of the Solomon Islands, stating the structure was so massive they mistook it for a shipwreck at first.

Marine Ecologist Enric Sala mentioned that just when we feel there is not much left to discover on our planet, we find remarkable things.

The coral consists of approximately a billion tiny polyps and is estimated to have been growing for over three centuries, per researchers.

The standalone structure is 111 ft broad and 104 ft long and is thrice the size of the earlier record holder, a coral called Big Momma located in American Samoa.

The Big Momma looks like an ice cream scoop plopped on a reef while the newly found coral looks as if the ice cream is melted, spreading far and wide on the seabed, said Molly Timmers, the lead scientist. She also said that it is longer than a blue whale and could be seen from space.

The coral was discovered by a National Geographic Researchers team on a scientific expedition in the area called the Three Sisters, close to the Solomon Islands.

The research team said that the warming of oceans and marine pollution has killed many coral reefs in tropical waters, a process known as bleaching. However, this fascinating discovery of a massive healthy coral in deeper waters offers a new beacon of hope.

This news was announced when representatives from across the world met in Baku, Azerbaijan for the COP29 U.N Summit on Climate Change.

National Climate Minister of the Solomon Islands, Trevor Manemahaga said that their country was proud to be home to the huge coral.

He added that the Solomon Islands relies on marine resources, one of the most important of which are corals which must be protected since nations like the Solomons are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and rising sea levels due to global warming.

The pristine waters and rainforests of the Solomon Islands have always been known for their biodiversity, much of which is still hidden, and waiting to be discovered. Wildlife research in the region in the 1900s was used to prove a part of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

References: CBS News, Vice, Unilad