Researchers have discovered the world's largest coral colony in the southwest Pacific Ocean, in the waters of the Solomon Islands. Measuring an astonishing 34 meters wide and 32 meters long, the coral is a species called *Pavona clavus* and is believed to be over 300 years old. This monumental find offers a beacon of hope amid the ongoing global decline of coral reefs.
The discovery was made by the National Geographic Pristine Seas team during an expedition to study ocean health. Underwater cinematographer and oceanographer Manu San Félix spotted the colossal structure while filming near an island called Malaulalo. Initially, the team thought they had come across a shipwreck due to the sheer size of the object detected on their maps. San Félix recalled, "I went diving in a place where the map said there was a shipwreck and then I saw something." Upon diving down to investigate, he was astonished to find that the shadow was not a shipwreck but a world-beating mega-coral.
Describing the moment of discovery, San Félix said, "It's very emotional. I felt this huge respect for something that's stayed in one place and survived for hundreds of years." He added, "I remember perfectly just jumping and looking down, and I was surprised." The coral, mostly brown with splashes of bright yellows, greens, and purples, is so enormous that it can be seen from space.
The massive coral colony is formed from a complex network of nearly one billion genetically identical coral polyps. Unlike a coral reef, which is made up of many distinct colonies, this mega-coral is a single organism that has grown uninterrupted for centuries. It provides a spacious habitat for an array of marine species, including juvenile reef fish, crabs, shrimps, and other invertebrates. Coral scientist Eric Brown noted, "Large adult coral colonies like this contribute significantly to the recovery of reef ecosystems due to their high reproductive potential."
Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas and an explorer for National Geographic, described the discovery as a "happy accident" and remarked on its significance. "Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly one billion little polyps, pulsing with life and color," he said. Sala also highlighted the coral's resilience, stating, "At a time where we can observe every square inch of the land with satellites and drones, the ocean below the surface continues to hold mysteries like this one."
Measuring larger than a blue whale and nearly as long as a Boeing 737 aircraft, the coral has surpassed the previous record holder, a giant *Porites* colony known as "Big Momma" in American Samoa. The newly discovered coral's immense size and age make it an invaluable resource for understanding the history of oceanic conditions. "It's like a big patch of old growth forest," Sala commented.
The Solomon Islands, an archipelago known for its great biodiversity, has one of the greatest varieties of coral species on the planet, hosting over 490 known hard and soft species. For the people of the Solomon Islands, this discovery is a significant milestone. Top Solomon Islands official Collin Beck said, "There is so much to learn about the richness of marine life and the ocean ecosystem, but this finding opens doors of knowledge."
Despite its remote location, the coral is not immune to ecological threats such as climate change, local pollution, and overfishing. Coral reefs worldwide are in decline due to warmer seas, stronger storms, and increasing ocean acidity, facing extensive bleaching events. Scientists warn that even corals of this size are vulnerable to higher sea temperatures caused by climate change. Marine experts are concerned about the fate of this mega-coral as oceans become more acidic.
Eric Brown expressed cautious optimism about the coral's health, noting that while nearby shallow reefs were degraded due to warmer seas, the large coral colony in deeper waters appears healthy. "It is a beacon of hope," he said. Scientists suggest that the coral's depth, starting at 13 meters and extending down to 39 meters, may have protected it from higher temperatures at the sea surface.
The discovery underscores the urgent need for greater protection of the oceans and coral reefs. Currently, only about 8.4 percent of the world's oceans are protected. Achieving the goal of protecting at least 30 percent of the planet's land and oceans by 2030 requires a significant increase in the number of marine protected areas. Enric Sala emphasized, "We need to ensure that we’ll have coral reefs in the future, because so many people depend on them. It would be a tragedy to lose the tropical forests of the seas."
Local communities and officials are hopeful that this discovery will lead to increased efforts to safeguard their marine environments. Chief Dennis Marita, a member of the local community and director of culture at the Solomon Islands' Ministry of Culture and Tourism, expects the discovery will attract tourists and more scientists. "Suddenly, people will start coming to the island, but then we need to be prepared for them, and also, we need to ensure that the coral is safeguarded," he said.
Sources: New Scientist, EL PAÍS, The Independent, ABC News Australia, National Geographic, The Straits Times, Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Welt, The New Paper, El Peridico, France 24, The Hindu, ORF Science, Manila Times, Asharq Al-Awsat (English), O Globo, BBC News
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq