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Equipped with robotic arms and a camera, he took the coral from the reef for a scientific inspection, broadcasting the exploration live on YouTube.
The researchers said the base of the “blade” reef measures 1.5 km wide, rising 500 meters to its minimum depth of 40 meters below the waves.
There are seven other detached reefs in the area, including Raine Island Reef, a major nesting site for green turtles.
The leader of the expedition, Dr. Robin Beaman, said he was surprised by the discovery.
“Not only 3D mapping the reef in detail, but also visually seeing this discovery with SuBastian is amazing,” said Dr. Beaman.
“We are surprised and euphoric at what we have discovered. Not only 3D mapping the reef in detail, but also visually seeing this discovery with SuBastian is amazing.”
The expedition was part of a series of robotic dives planned by the institute to explore the oceans around Australia.
Researchers are expected to continue examining the area until November 17.
“Finding a new half-kilometer-high coral reef in the area off Cape York of the renowned Great Barrier Reef shows how mysterious the world is just beyond our coast,” said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of the Schmidt Ocean Institute.
“This powerful combination of cartographic data and underwater imagery will be used to understand this new reef and its role within the incredible Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.”
The Great Barrier Reef, the largest coral reef in the world, covers 345,000 square kilometers and is home to more than 1500 species of fish, 411 species of hard coral and dozens of other species.
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