NEW DELHI: Australian scientists have recently discovered an unattached coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef that surpasses the height of the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower. According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, non-profit operating foundation, this is first such discovery in over hundred years. The institute also added that the reef is “blade-like” and is nearly 500 metres tall and 1.5 kilometres broad. It lies deep below the ocean surface and about six kilometres from the edge of Great Barrier Reef.
The reef was found on Tuesday, October 20, by a team of scientists from James Cook University. Dr. Robin Beaman, the head of the team said that the reef was found while they were mapping the northern seafloor of the Great Barrier Reef, boarding the institute’s research vessel, Falkor. Dr. Robin said that they were surprised and elated by what they have found. He also added that it is first unattached reef of that size to be found in over 120 years and it is flourishing with an inundation of fishes in a healthy ecosystem.
The discovery follows after a recent study found that the Great Barrier Reef had lost more than half of its coral in the previous three decades.