A massive coral, the largest of its kind, was discovered off the coast of the Solomon Islands in October by the National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas team. The coral, measuring 34 meters wide, 32 meters long, and 6 meters tall, is the largest standalone coral known, surpassing the previous record-holder, “Big Momma,” in American Samoa. This giant coral, identified as Pavona clavus, was formed by nearly a billion tiny coral polyps. Estimated to be 300 to 500 years old, it provides essential habitat for marine species. Despite its impressive size, coral reefs globally face threats from pollution, bleaching, and climate change.
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