A team of scientists, including some Spaniards, has discovered the world's largest coral, measuring 34 meters wide and 32 meters long, in the South Pacific Solomon Islands, as indicated on Thursday by the leaders of the Pristine Seas project of the National Geographic society.
In a statement, the participants in the scientific mission explained that the coral colony, of the species Pavona clavus and sighted on October 26, grew over three centuries and is visible from space.
"Just when we thought there was nothing left to discover on the planet, we found a gigantic coral composed of nearly a billion small polyps, full of life and color," said the Spanish explorer Enric Sala, resident explorer of National Geographic and founder of Pristine Seas.
"This is a significant scientific discovery, like finding the tallest tree in the world. But there are also reasons to be alarmed. Despite its remote location, this coral is not safe from global warming and other human threats," Sala added.
The coral, 5.5 meters tall and described as brown with bright yellow, blue, and red flashes, is located in a group of islands called Three Sisters and was sighted by the Spanish explorer Manu San Félix.
An ice cream cone on the seabed
Until now, the world's largest coral was found in American Samoa, a U.S. territory in the Pacific, measuring about 22 meters in diameter, while the largest coral reef remains the Great Barrier Reef located in Australia.
The team's lead scientist, Molly Timmers, pointed out that the coral in American Samoa, known as Big Momma, has the shape of a "huge ice cream cone," while the new coral "is as if that ice cream had started to melt, spreading endlessly across the seabed."
Corals may look like rocks but they are living beings formed by polyps that settle on the seabed and provide shelter for young reef fish, crabs, and other invertebrates.
The discovery was made during the Pristine Seas expedition aboard a ship with over 18 scientists and cameramen in the Solomon Islands that began on October 16 to study the seabed and promote sustainability.
"Large adult coral colonies like this one significantly contribute to the recovery of reef ecosystems due to their high reproductive potential," noted Eric Brown, a coral scientist on the expedition.
Pristine Seas, supported by Solomon Islands authorities, stated that this discovery comes at a time when only 8.4% of the ocean has some form of environmental protection.
However, scientific studies show that at least 30% of the oceans should be protected to maintain their ability to absorb pollution and their food supply and economic sustainability.
Ronnie Posala, an official from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources of the Solomon Islands, stated that the discovery of the coral is "monumental" for the Solomon Islands due to its oceanic significance.
"Corals are also our first line of defense, protecting coastal communities from stronger waves and storms," Posala pointed out.
The Pristine Seas project works with local communities, governments, and other allies to protect the oceans through research, community engagement, and communication strategies.
This is an initiative of National Geographic, the educational and scientific society that has informative channels through the web, magazines, and television channels.