A 2,000-year-old "megacoral" was found in a volcanic crater
A giant coral over 2,000 years old, which far exceeds known records, has been discovered in the crater of an underwater volcano in the Mariana Islands.
This was reported by EcoNews.
The discovery is a colony of corals of the genus Porites, found inside the caldera of Maung Volcano. Scientists estimate its area to be about 14,500 square feet—roughly the size of three basketball courts.
The coral’s base diameter is nearly 61 meters, and its height exceeds 30 meters. This is more than three times larger than the previous record holder, found in American Samoa.
Researchers note that determining the exact age is difficult because such corals do not have distinct annual growth rings. However, it is estimated to be over two millennia old.
Despite the acidic environment caused by constant carbon dioxide emissions, the coral is thriving, which could provide important insights into reef resilience.
The discovery is currently protected within the Mariana Trench National Marine Monument.
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