104-Feet-Long 'Mega Coral' Found in Solomon Islands Is Three Times Bigger Than the Previous Record Holder

Researchers have discovered what they believe to be the largest coral ever recorded in history. The coral was detected in the southwest Pacific Ocean by a videographer working with National Geographic, BBC reported. According to examinations done by experts, the being could be more than 300 years old. In terms of its size, observers believe it could be larger than a blue whale. 

Manu San Felix was working with National Geographic to examine the remote parts of the Pacific Ocean and record how they had been affected by climate change, BBC reported. "I went diving in a place where the map said there was a shipwreck and then I saw something," he remembered about seeing the coral. The videographer took his diving partner and went deeper to examine the structure.

Seeing the massive coral in the Solomon Islands, Felix got emotional, BBC reported. "It's very emotional. I felt this huge respect for something that's stayed in one place and survived for hundreds of years," the videographer said. "I thought, 'Wow, this was here when Napoleon was alive'," he added.

Scientists quickly came to the area and started their examination. The coral was 34m wide, 32m long, and 5.5m high, according to their inspection. 

The being's measurement made it the biggest ever recorded coral in human history, CBS News reported. It is three times bigger in size than the previous record holder "Big Momma" in American Samoa.

"While Big Momma looked like a huge scoop of ice cream plopped down on the reef, this newly discovered coral is as if the ice cream started to melt, spreading forever along the seafloor," said lead scientist, Molly Timmers.

The discovery gave researchers a glimmer of hope regarding the survival of corals in challenging conditions. Hot and acidic oceans have caused unprecedented damage to many corals. The trend was no different in the Soloman Islands, but this particular finding did not display the lifelessness of its contemporaries.

"While the nearby shallow reefs were degraded due to warmer seas, witnessing this large healthy coral oasis in slightly deeper waters is a beacon of hope," coral scientist Eric Brown added.

Solomon Island's impressive ecological diversity has long been a subject of focus for marine scientists, CBS News reported. Wildlife observations undertaken in the area helped prove Charles Darwin's theory of evolution back in the 1920s. Hence, it was not surprising when the islands became a site for another breakthrough finding.

Representatives from the Solomon Islands announced the coral discovery during the world meet in Baku, Azerbaijan for the COP29 United Nations summit. "We want the world to know, that this is a special place, and it needs to be protected," Solomon Islands national climate minister, Trevor Manemahaga said. "We rely mostly on marine resources for economic survival, so coral is very, very important."

Solomon Islands like other low-lying islands has become increasingly vulnerable to damages incurred by climate change, CBS News reported. Authorities hope that the recent discovery encourages people to invest more in the safety and understanding of the ecosystem on the island and the world.

"There is so much to learn about the richness of marine life and the ocean ecosystem, but this finding opens doors of knowledge," said top Solomon Islands official, Collin Beck. "More scientific research is needed to better understand our rich biodiversity and our planet."