When researchers first saw a colossal coral estimated to be several hundred years old off the coast of the Solomon Islands, they believed it to be a possible shipwreck.

The National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas Expedition announced Wednesday that the object was not a shipwreck but perhaps the world’s largest known coral. world. It spanned a circumference of 600 feet, larger than five tennis courts.

According to the group, this massive coral from the southwest Pacific Ocean is so large that it is visible from space.

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Unlike a coral reef which includes a network of different corals, this colossal coral is made up of nearly a billion genetically identical polyps of coral species. Pavona clavus. The massive coral was discovered in mid-October while the team was studying the ocean. health in parts of the Solomon Islands.

Tess Goldhagen and Ronnie Posala dive above the massive coral as it is measured. (National Geographic)

Molly Timmer, Pristine Seas’ lead scientist for the Solomon Islands expedition, said the coral looks like a huge ball of ice that has started to melt on the seafloor.

Underwater cinematographer Manu San Félix was the first to spot the record-breaking coral and dive to see it in person. The coral is mainly brown with touches of yellow, blue and red.

The team estimates the coral is between 300 and 500 years old, providing hope during the ongoing global coral bleaching event, which is considered the worst in history.

“I see this mega coral as a living thing, you know, that has held information about ocean conditions for centuries. And that’s great because we’re in a moment where we’re not getting very good news “We haven’t heard very good news about coral reefs, so this discovery makes me very happy,” San Félix said.

Manu San Felix dives above massive coral. (National Geographic Virgin Seas)

Corals live animals and vibrant ecosystems that provide shelter for fish, crabs and other marine life. Researchers were shocked to learn that this ocean habitat had remained unknown for hundreds of years and had survived. multiple global bleaching events.

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“Large colonies of adult corals like this contribute significantly to the restoration of coral reef ecosystems due to their high reproductive potential,” said Eric Brown, coral specialist for the Pristine Seas expedition in the Solomon Islands. “While nearby shallow reefs have been degraded due to warming seas, seeing this large oasis of healthy coral in slightly deeper waters is a beacon of hope.”

Brown said the coral appears healthy and is in “very good shape.”

The research team hopes this mega coral discovery can help inspire broader protection of the ocean’s corals.

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