### World's Largest Coral Discovered in Solomon Islands' Waters

In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have found the world's largest known coral in the waters of the Solomon Islands. This massive coral boasts a circumference of 183 meters and is located in the western Pacific area known as the "coral triangle". The newly discovered coral, a Pavona clavus, is believed to have been growing for between 300 to 500 years.

The National Geographic Pristine Seas team discovered this sprawling, multicolored organism during an expedition to the Solomon Islands. The coral is predominantly brown with striking highlights of yellow, blue, and red. It serves as a sanctuary for a diverse array of marine species, including fish, crabs, and shrimps.

Marine ecologist Enric Sala, an explorer in residence for National Geographic and founder of Pristine Seas, expressed the significance of this find. "Just when we think there is nothing left to discover on planet Earth, we find a massive coral made of nearly 1bn little polyps, pulsing with life and colour," Sala said. He also pointed out the threats that even such a remote location faces from global warming and other human activities.

Contrary to coral reefs, which are composed of multiple coral colonies, this Pavona clavus is a standalone organism. It has grown uninterrupted from polyps derived from larvae that settled on the seabed and multiplied over centuries. Initially misidentified as a shipwreck, the coral was later confirmed to be a Pavona clavus by the expedition's underwater cinematographer, who dived down more than 12 meters to investigate.

Local perspectives highlight the discovery's importance. Ronnie Posala, fisheries officer for the Solomon Islands fisheries ministry, noted, "For the people of the Solomon Islands, this mega coral discovery is monumental. It reinforces the importance of our ocean, which sustains our communities, traditions and future."

Eric Brown, a coral scientist involved in the Pristine Seas expedition and identifier of the previous record-holding coral in American Samoa, commented on the new find. "While the nearby shallow reefs were degraded due to warmer seas, witnessing this large healthy coral oasis in slightly deeper waters is a beacon of hope," he said.

The discovery emphasizes both the rich biodiversity of the ocean and the urgent need for its conservation, balancing the excitement of new scientific revelations with a sobering reminder of the risks facing our planet's natural wonders.