Coral colony the size of three MCGs thriving off remote Australian island
An enormous rose coral colony, one of the largest ever recorded, is mapped by a team of researchers off the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
Researchers have discovered a massive rose coral colony, stretching 1.56 kilometers, off the coast of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in Australia. This remarkable find, roughly three times the size of Melbourne Cricket Ground, was only recently mapped and examined in detail by a team of scientists from Adelaide University, Queensland Museum, and James Cook University.
The coral's true extent was only apparent after several intensive dives, with local dive operator Dieter Gerhard initially spotting the formation over 30 years ago but unaware of its colossal size. The team plans to conduct genetic testing on about 50 samples collected from the colony to determine if it consists of a single organism or multiple genetically distinct individuals.
The discovery of this thriving coral colony in deeper waters may offer crucial insights into the resilience of coral species under threat from bleaching events or cyclones. Cocos (Keeling) Islands, being an isolated territory in the Indian Ocean, holds significant scientific value for researchers seeking to understand and protect coral ecosystems worldwide.
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