34 meters wide by 32 long. This is the size of giant coral discovered this Thursday, November 14 in thes Pacific watersmore precisely near the Solomon Islands. A treasure of biodiversity, 3 times larger than the previous record-holding reeflocated in the waters of American Samoa. A discovery completely unexpectedwhich fascinates, and above all which warms the heart.
Of life, as if it were raining
It is a team of National Geographicexploring in an area known as the “ Three Sisters ”, in the southeast of the Solomon Islands, which made this exceptional discovery. And it was a big surprise, according to the marine ecologist Enrique Sala : « While we thought thatthere was nothing left to discover on planet Earthwe found a massive coral composed of nearly a billion small polypsoverflowing with life and colors ».
According to experts, the body falls would develop on its own like a big one since over 300 years oldwhich allows him to have achieved this spectacular size of more than 30 meters by 30. An immense mass, bigger than a blue whale (currently the largest mammal on earth), which would allow it, according to early speculation, to be visible from space!
A glimmer of hope
Beyond the aesthetic and fascinating aspect of this coral oasis, the discovery of this organism is a excellent news for the planet. While the latter is preparing to exceed the 7th of its 9 planetary alertsocean acidification, that such a barrier could have developed while so many others perish alongside — like the Australian Great Barrier — is a absolutely delightful news.
And complex networkwhich is distinguished from a classic coral, often made up of several independent colonieswhich shows that the living species can still develop and adapt to ocean warming. An unexpected and quite incredible discovery which shows that the planet still has a lot to offer usand it is high time to give him back a little…
