Scientists discover world’s largest coral—so big it can be seen from space

The researchers almost missed it too. Its discovery “was really serendipitous,” says Molly Timmers, the expedition’s lead scientist. “It was found the night before we were moving to another section.”

The expedition team say this is the largest coral colony ever recorded. It is made up of nearly a billion genetically identical coral polyps that work together in the colony as if they are one organism.

Although the newly discovered coral is in excellent health, researchers worry about the many threats facing all corals, including global warming and overfishing. They hope this discovery will inspire more protections for marine habitats in the Solomon Islands.

Billions of coral polyps 

“Finding this mega coral is like discovering the tallest tree on earth,” says Enric Sala, Founder of Pristine Seas, via email. “This discovery rekindles our sense of awe and wonder about the ocean.”

The organism is a type of hard coral called Pavona clavus, or shoulder blade coral because it has columns that “kind of looks like shoulders,” says Timmers.