The world’s largest known coral, a massive multicoloured organism visible from space, was discovered in the Solomon Islands by National Geographic’s Pristine Seas team.
Located in the „coral triangle“ of the western Pacific, this Pavona clavus coral spans 183 meters in circumference and has grown for 300 to 500 years, providing habitat for a variety of marine life. Unlike coral reefs, this is a single coral structure, growing uninterrupted over centuries. Initially mistaken for a shipwreck due to its 34-meter width, the coral is a significant scientific find yet faces threats from climate change.
Local fisheries officer Ronnie Posala emphasised the coral’s importance to the Solomon Islands, highlighting its ecological and cultural value. Coral scientist Eric Brown noted this discovery as a hopeful sign, showing resilience in slightly deeper waters despite nearby reef degradation due to warming seas.
