In the crystal clear waters of the Solomon Islands, a scientific team has discovered the largest coral ever recorded, a gigantic structure visible even from space. This mega-coral, several centuries old, testifies to the beauty and fragility of marine ecosystems, threatened by climate change.
A chance discovery
During an expedition carried out in the turquoise waters of the Solomon Islands, in the heart of the Coral Triangle, a team of scientists from the
National Geographic Society
made a discovery that shook the world of marine biology: the largest coral ever documented. It is not a simple colony, but a real underwater giant, a living structure of such magnitude that it is visible from space.
The story begins as an anecdote, one of those chance discoveries that mark the history of science. As the Pristine Seas expedition team prepared to conclude their research, Manu San Félix, the director of photography, spotted what looked like a sunken shipwreck from the surface. Curiosity pushed him to dive. What he discovered exceeded all his expectations. Instead of a wreck, it was an immense coral, a veritable plant monster, stretching 34 meters long and 32 meters wide. A sprawling mass of brownish color, punctuated with splashes of yellow, red, pink and blue, a structure so imposing that it dwarfs even the size of a blue whale, the largest animal on the planet.
An unsuspected giant
This discovery, made in October 2024, aroused general astonishment. How could such an imposing structure have escaped the eyes of scientists for so long? The answer lies partly in its location, nearly thirteen meters deep, and its deceptive appearance. Seen from the surface, the mega-coral looked like a simple rock, or even a wreck, an illusion that fooled even the most experienced observers. Without diving equipment, local populations also probably interpreted this mass as a simple element of the underwater landscape. The scientific team emphasizes that accessibility to diving equipment is not universaland that many coastal communities do not have the means to regularly explore the seabed. This observation highlights a potential bias in the knowledge of marine ecosystems.
The coral in question is a Pavona clavus, also called scapula coral because of the characteristic shape of its columns. What’s incredible is that this gigantic structure is made up of approximately a billion genetically identical coral polyps, working in harmony as a single organism. Its age is estimated to be around 300 years old, based on its size, but it could be much older. Imagine: this coral has witnessed major historical events, from the arrival of the first Christian missionaries to the Solomon Islands in the 19th century to World War II, American independence and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has spanned centuries of human history, a silent and imperturbable witness to the upheavals of the world.
A threat to a giant
The discovery of this mega-coral is not only a scientific feat; it is also a testimony to the beauty and complexity of the underwater world. But this discovery also carries a warning message. Despite its apparent good health, this coral giant, like all coral reefs on the planet, is threatened by the effects of climate change. Warming waters, ocean acidification, overfishing and pollution pose major dangers to its survival. The Pristine Seas team observed signs of coral degradation in nearby reefs, highlighting the fragility of these ecosystems.
The resilience of this mega-coral, which has survived centuries of environmental change, may lie in its unique location. Located in a deeper and colder area, protected by a slope and an underwater bankit seems to have benefited from a more stable environment. This observation could provide valuable clues on how to preserve corals in the face of climate change.
The discovery of this underwater giant also raises questions about ocean conservation. The Solomon Islands, located in the Coral Triangle, an area known for its exceptional biodiversity, faces pressures from intensive fishing and economic development. The official protection of the waters where the mega-coral is found, already unofficially protected by the local community for fourteen years, is a priority objective. The research team hopes this discovery will help increase conservation efforts and gain national support for the protection of this unique ecosystem.
Enric Sala, founder of Pristine Seas, sums up the challenge: the discovery of this mega-coral, symbol of an astonishing and tenacious life, reminds us of the urgency of protecting and restoring our planet’s wild spaces. The fight against climate change, the extension of marine protected areas, and the transition to renewable energies are crucial actions to ensure the survival of coral reefs and marine biodiversity. The mega-coral of the Solomon Islands, a living monument of nature, gives us a silent cry: “We are still here. Don’t forget us.”
