American oceanographers from the National Geographic (NatGeo) research program Pristine Seas have discovered the largest coral ever described. The organism is located in the southwest Pacific Ocean near the Solomon Islands. The discovery was reported on the National Geographic website.
Experts identified the coral as Pavona clavus. It is a self-contained structure, unlike the branched networks that typically form coral reefs.
The coral measures 34 meters wide, 32 meters long and 5.5 meters high. This is approximately the area of two basketball courts and makes the object visible from space.
Researchers estimated the age of the find at 300-500 years.
Despite its size and age, the giant coral has remained undetected until now, with even local residents reportedly unaware of its existence.
The huge Pavona clavus was discovered during the study of the state of the ocean by members of the expedition on the Argo ship. At first, scientists mistook the structure for the remains of a shipwreck, but further inspection revealed a living marine ecosystem.
The study's authors say the discovery is a reminder of the need to protect the marine environment as corals are threatened by heat stress due to warming seawater caused by climate change.
