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The first “detached” coral reef discovered in over 120 years has been found in the waters off Cape York, in northern Queensland, Australia.
It was discovered on October 20, when researchers discovered it during a 12-month mapping project of Australia’s oceans. The reef is located about 80 kilometers east of Cape Grenville, which is about 150 kilometers south of the tip of Cape York.
The find is described as a detached reef because it sits on the ocean floor, meaning it is not part of the main body of the Great Barrier Reef.
The new coral reef is estimated to be 20 million years old at its deepest part, which is more than 500 meters below the water’s surface. Standing taller than the Empire State Building’s 443 meters, the reef rises to 40 meters deep.
Research leader Robin Beaman, of James Cook University (JCU), has described the reef’s apex as a “thriving coral community.” It is located in a group of seven other detached coral reefs that were mapped in the 1800s, although the marine ecosystem on top of the new discovery appeared to be more vibrant than the others.
When we got to the ridge – it’s only about 300 meters by 50 meters wide – we found plenty of fish and even a healthy shark population.
Because of the deep water between this reef and the subsequent reef community, the reef acts as an “isolated seamount” and has the potential to evolve unique species.
Following the discovery, the researchers used an underwater robot known as “SuBastian” to collect samples for identification with its remotely controlled arm.
It will take some time to process the images and samples we have collected before we can tell if there are any new species [at this reef] or not.
Carlie Wiener, a spokesperson for the Schmidt Ocean Institute, said the coral reef discovery demonstrates the value of the ongoing project. He noted that Australia does not have a dedicated “underwater vehicle”, so much of its ocean hasn’t been surveyed before.
This is proof of the importance of exploring our underwater environment so that we can protect it.
The reef is the latest discovery from the 12-month project, which also led to the discovery of a “ whole lot of new species ” including the “ longest marine creature in the world recorded ”: a long siphonophore 45 meters found in Ningaloo canyon off the coast of Western Australia.
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