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A new sea creature the size of two basketball courts has been discovered by scientists; here's what it looks like
Did you know that the largest sea creature in the world is neither a whale nor a giant squid? Imagine a creature so huge that it can be seen from space, and the size of two basketball courts! Although you might think we’re talking about something worthy of a science fiction movie, this is a real discovery that has enchanted scientists and sea lovers alike.
The "giant coral” of the Solomon Islands has just been revealed to the world, and its history is as fascinating as the mysteries of the ocean.
Giant Creature of the Deep: Scientists' Discovery
In the crystal clear and remote waters of the Solomon Islands, an archipelago in the South Pacific, a marine organism was found extraordinary. This giant is not a whale, as many might imagine. It's a coral! But it's not just any coral — it's the largest individual coral colony ever recorded, with impressive 34 meters wide and 32 meters long. To put that into perspective, that size is equivalent to about two basketball courts put together.
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The discovery was made by a team of scientists and filmmakers on an expedition carried out by National Geographic. While investigating the region of Malaulalo, a virtually uninhabited and little explored island, they found this huge piece of coral, a species called Peacock nail.
The most fascinating thing? This coral is not a collection of several different colonies, but a single community organism, made up of millions of polyps, tiny marine animals that make up the body of the coral.
The story behind the Giant Coral, the great creature
The expedition team first came across this colossal colony during a film shoot last month. For underwater photographer and marine biologist Manu San Félix, it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment: “When Napoleon was alive, this thing was here.” Just imagine! While the world has undergone so many changes over the centuries, this creature has remained there, slowly growing, adapting and surviving many challenges.
San Félix and his team were astounded by the discovery. This giant coral is a true “relic of the sea.” It is believed to have been among the 300 and 500 years, an impressive age for any living thing, especially for an organism that grows very slowly.
The coral’s impressive size and longevity indicate remarkable resilience, which is something worth celebrating at a time when many marine species are facing serious challenges.
The Impact of Climate Change According to Scientists
But it’s not all good news when it comes to corals. While the discovery of this giant is exciting, it comes at a critical time for coral reefs around the world. Global warming and rising ocean temperatures are putting reefs at great risk.
Hot water harms corals by killing the symbiotic algae that live within them. When this happens, the coral turns white — a sign of extreme stress and often leads to the death of the organism. This phenomenon is known as coral bleaching.
Unfortunately, the outlook is not good. Since the beginning of 2023, three-quarters of the world’s coral reefs have experienced temperatures high enough to cause bleaching. Many corals have died.
And, to make matters worse, more than 40% of hard corals, which are responsible for building reefs, are at risk of extinction. This is devastating not only for marine biodiversity, but also for human populations that depend on corals for food and coastal protection.
The resilience of Solomon Islands coral
The giant coral found in the Solomon Islands, on the other hand, offers hope. It appears to be more resistant to heat, possibly due to its location in deeper, cooler waters, at depths of more than 10 meters.
Even in the face of high temperatures, the coral remained healthy, which raises the possibility of natural adaptation to these changes in the marine environment.
The fact that this giant coral has survived multiple bleaching events over the centuries suggests that it has genetic traits that make it more resilient to environmental stress. This is exciting, as corals like this could be a valuable source of information for scientists on how to better protect coral reefs and even how to promote their recovery.
Additionally, large coral colonies play a crucial role in the health of marine ecosystems. They provide shelter for a variety of marine creatures, including small fish, crabs, and snails. They are also responsible for seeding the ocean with young corals during their reproduction, helping to regenerate damaged areas.
A beacon of hope
In the face of the serious crisis that coral reefs face globally, the Solomon Islands giant becomes a true beacon of hope. Amid the destruction of reefs around the world, this discovery brings a light at the end of the tunnel. For scientists, the survival of this coral colony is a sign that, with the right protection, nature can be more resilient than we imagine.
The giant coral is also an important tool for raising awareness about marine conservation. According to Stacy Jupiter, executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Society, the discovery could inspire more action to preserve the oceans.
This includes creating more marine protected areas, like the ones scientists are proposing in the Solomon Islands. For local communities like the Po'onapaina tribe of Ulawa, who have already protected the area informally for years, this discovery could be the impetus they need to make the protections official and effective.
Manu San Félix/National Geographic Mares Pristinos
How can we help?
If you are passionate about the oceans and want to contribute to the preservation of marine ecosystems such as corals, there are some actions simple that you can adopt. The first is reduce your carbon footprint. Global warming is directly linked to rising ocean temperatures, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help slow this process.
Another important step is to support and publicize initiatives marine conservation. Organizations like National Geographic and other NGOs are working tirelessly to protect vulnerable marine areas. You can help by getting involved in these causes, whether through donating, volunteering, or simply sharing important information about the impact of climate change on the oceans.
Finally, if you’re lucky enough to live near a coastal area, one of the most impactful ways you can contribute to conservation is by protecting your local beaches and marine environment. Marine pollution and plastic waste are huge problems for marine life, and every action counts.
The discovery of this giant coral in the Solomon Islands is a story of resilience and hope. As the world faces an unprecedented environmental crisis, this coral colony represents the strength of nature and the potential for adaptation in the face of adversity. But it also serves as a reminder of the fragility of our marine ecosystems. Conservation and care for our oceans have never been more urgent.
May this discovery inspire us all to look at the sea with more respect and commitment. Because, in the end, our health and the health of the planet are deeply interconnected.
