Source: TOI
Context: Scientists have uncovered the largest coral colony on Earth in the Solomon Islands, offering insights into marine ecosystems’ resilience and the threats posed by climate change.
New Discovery of Coral Colony:
- Location: Solomon Islands, Southwest Pacific Ocean.
- Region and Depth: Found 42 feet underwater, near the Macquarie Ridge.
- Size and Structure: Measures 112 feet by 105 feet, rising 16 feet above the ocean floor.
- Age: Estimated to be around 300 years old or older.
- Features: Composed of hard coral Pavona clavus, with colors ranging from brown, yellow, red, pink, and blue. Often referred to as “shoulder blade coral.”
- Discovery: Made during an October 2024 expedition by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas team.
About Corals:
- Nature: Corals are sessile animals that attach permanently to the ocean floor.
- Symbiosis: Corals share a mutualistic relationship with algae (zooxanthellae), which provide nutrients through photosynthesis.
- Structure:
- Polyps: Individual coral animals that form large colonies.
- Skeletons: Hard corals create reefs with limestone skeletons, providing habitats for marine life.
- Classification: Divided into hard corals (reef-building) and soft corals (non-reef-building).
- Ecological role:
- Serve as rainforests of the sea, home to thousands of marine species.
- Play a crucial role in marine biodiversity and shoreline protection.
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