World's Largest Coral Found Near Solomon Islands

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Facts

  • A National Geographic videographer has found the world's largest coral — so big it can reportedly be seen from space — near the Solomon Islands. The 105 feet-by-111 feet (32 x 34 meters), brown-and-bright yellow "mega coral" is said to be 300 years old and bigger than a blue whale.[1][2]
  • Marine ecologist Enric Sala reportedly said the coral — three times bigger than the previous record holder named "Big Momma," in American Samoa — is "made of nearly one billion little polyps." It was found in October during a study of the effects of hotter and more acidic oceans.[3][4]
  • A night before the National Geographic team was to move to a new section of the sea, it caught sight of what was initially assumed to be the remains of a shipwreck. On diving to explore, videographer Manu San Félix was stunned to find a coral "close to the size of a cathedral."[5][6]
  • Belonging to the Pavona clavus — or "shoulder blade" — species, the coral "is an enormous encyclopaedia that has written how to survive multiple climatic conditions." Scientists hope its "really serendipitous" discovery inspires more protections for marine life.[6][7]
  • Its healthy condition also inspires hope amid the extensive bleaching of reefs the world over due to rising temperatures. However, corals are distinct from reefs as corals are standalone structures while reefs are formed when corals and sea anemones come together.[7][8]
  • The Solomons region is home to one of Earth's most diverse collections of coral. Half of the world's warm-water corals reportedly face extinction as oceans absorb greenhouse emissions. Their bleaching has intensified in the past two years amid record-breaking ocean warming.[5][9]

Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]BBC News, [3]Daily Sabah, [4]CNN, [5]New Scientist, [6]Environment, [7]Independent, [8]ABC and [9]The Straits Times.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by New Scientist and The Guardian. The discovery of the massive Solomon Islands "mega coral," thriving despite warming oceans, reveals the resilience of some species and the endurance of ocean ecosystems. This unique coral demonstrates the potential for survival, inspiring both conservation efforts and optimism for coral recovery in a changing world.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Vox and UNEP. Healthy marine ecosystems rely on diverse coral species, not single giants, to thrive under increasing pressures from climate change, pollution, and overfishing. Without bold climate action and protection of diverse reef ecosystems, coral reefs — and the myriad species that depend on them — could be lost within decades. The world must act now, not become complacent.