Pristine coral reef discovered in deep water off the coast of Tahiti

By Chen Ly.

There is a coral reef in deep water.

alexis.rosenfeld

The coral was found at depths of between 35 and 70 metres. It forms part of a reef that spans more than 3 kilometres and is 70 metres wide. It may be one of the largest found.

The National Centre for Scientific Research in France had a diving expedition that first discovered the reef. It is made up of two coral species and can be found from 30 to 45 metres deep. Pachyseris speciosa emerges and becomes dominant at depths of 50 to 55 metres.

It looks like a giant rose garden going as far as the eye can see.

The reef's pristine condition is one of the most remarkable things about it.

It is a very healthy reef, like a dream come true, says Hédouin. This is good news in the middle of the crisis.

Giant coral is the widest it has ever been in the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral reefs around the world are vulnerable in the face of increasing human-driven pressures, such as climate change and natural disasters. It is not known if the reef has been affected by the recent wave.

Barbire says that this reef is one of the few that have been found at such depths.

He says there might be many more large reefs in the ocean. This could be one of the largest coral reefs at this depth, but we haven't really looked for coral reefs at this depth.

Barbire says that only 20% of the seafloor has been mapped. Researchers hope to understand the best ways to protect and manage these rich ecosystems by mapping more of the ocean.

We rarely include the depth as a critical dimensions, but it is important for protection and management.

Millions of people rely on the services provided by coral reefs. She says that we need coral reefs for a lot of things.

Barbire says there are benefits to coral reefs. We are finding more and more potential medical solutions through some of the marine organisms that lived in those ecosystems. Those could be used to develop drugs to treat cancer or arthritis.

bacteria could help protect corals from ocean warming

Wild Wild Life is a monthly newsletter that celebrates the diversity and science of animals, plants and Earth.

There are more on these topics.