World's Largest Coral Found Near Solomon Islands

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Nov 14, 2024

Above: This underwater photo taken on April 5, 2024, shows bleached and dead coral around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometers (167 miles) north of the city of Cairns, Australia. Image copyright: DAVID GRAY/Contributor/AFP via Getty Imagesstory last updated Nov 15

The 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.
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.

The Spin

Narrative A

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

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.