### Record-Breaking Coral Discovered by National Geographic Expedition

In a notable discovery, a National Geographic expedition exploring the Solomon Islands' waters stumbled upon a colossal coral, now acclaimed as the largest in the world. Initially mistaken for a shipwreck, divers investigated the massive underwater structure and brought back extraordinary news: the gigantic coral, which can be seen from space, is around 300 years old and provides a precious historical record of ocean conditions across centuries.

Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer in Residence and founder of the Pristine Seas expedition, expressed awe at the discovery, stating, "Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly 1 billion little polyps, pulsing with life and color."

The newly discovered coral surpasses the previous record-holder known as "Big Momma" in American Samoa, which is as tall as a giraffe. In contrast, the new coral boasts proportions comparable to a blue whale, making it three times larger.

The Solomon Islands, located in the South Pacific and bordered by the Coral Sea, boast the second highest coral diversity globally with over 490 known species. Ronnie Posala, a Fisheries officer at the Solomon Islands Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, emphasized the vital role of corals as living organisms that construct incredible habitats. He highlighted their importance as natural defenses against climate change, protecting coastal communities from strong waves and storms.

Yet, the future of coral reefs remains precarious due to global warming and the resulting coral bleaching. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warns that coral reefs in all 29 reef-containing World Heritage sites could vanish by the century's end unless significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are achieved. Despite the new coral's remote location, Sala cautioned that it is not immune to global warming and other human threats.

Nonetheless, the discovery has sparked a sense of optimism among the expedition team. Coral scientist Eric Brown noted that while shallower reefs nearby have suffered from warmer seas, finding this large, healthy coral in deeper waters serves as a "beacon of hope" for the resilience of underwater ecosystems.