Scientists discover world’s largest coral discovered in Solomon Islands

A giant coral has been discovered by scientists in the Solomon Islands, believed to be the largest ever recorded, drawing global attention to its size and environmental significance. The coral, which is approximately 111 feet wide and 104 feet long, spans an area equal to two basketball courts and can be seen from space. The discovery, made in October by a team from National Geographic’s Pristine Seas expedition, highlights the presence of previously unrecorded sea giants.

A hidden giant in the ocean

Dr. Molly Timmers, the expedition’s lead scientist, said the coral looked “like a shipwreck” from the surface of the water. Its enormous size was confirmed by underwater divers, who found coral spread over the sea floor with undulating waves of brown, yellow and blue. This coral is estimated to be 300 to 500 years old, surpassing the previous record-holder, a coral known as “Big Mom” ​​in American Samoa.

Dr. Enrique Sala, founder of Pristine Seas, compared the discovery to the discovery of “the tallest tree in the world” and stressed its importance in marine biodiversity research. Dr. David M. Baker, a coral reef researcher at the University of Hong Kong who was not part of the expedition, highlighted that large coral structures represent resilience, having endured significant environmental changes over centuries.

An important marine habitat is at risk

Although the coral appears to be healthy, scientists have expressed concern about the threats it faces from both local and global stress. Overfishing disrupts coral reef ecosystems by removing key species that support coral reef health, while climate change poses a long-term threat. Timmers said coral reefs are highly sensitive to warming oceans, which can cause coral bleaching and ultimately coral death.

With over 490 species of hard and soft corals, the Solomon Islands have one of the richest coral ecosystems in the world. The discovery of this coral is a reminder of the hidden wonders of the ocean and the urgent need for conservation amid rising global temperatures.