New coral reef discovered off Australian coast

Scientists have discovered a new detached reef in the Great Barrier Reef for the first time in over 120 years.

The reef measures 500m in length, according to CNN which is taller than the Sydney Tower (305m) and the Empire State Building (381m).

The discovery was made on October 20 by Australian scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor, currently on a 12-month exploration of the ocean surrounding Australia.

R/V Falkor holding position on the outside of Ribbon Reef #5 as ROV SuBastian works its way up the shelf, working to reveal – for the first time – evidence into the origins of the Great Barrier Reef.

A team of scientists led by Dr. Robin Beaman from James Cook University were mapping the sea floor of the northern Great Barrier Reef when the discovery was made.

Using the institute’s underwater robot SuBastian, the dive was live streamed and shared to their website and YouTube channel.

Newly discovered 500 meter tall detached reef adds to the seven other tall detached reefs in the northern Great Barrier Reef.

The reef’s base spans over 1.5km and the highest point of the reef measures 500m, with the shallowest depth of 40m below the ocean’s surface.

There are seven other tall detached reefs in the area, including Rain Island – the planet’s most important green sea turtle nesting area – which have been mapped since the 1800s. This new discovery adds to the seven reefs.

‘This unexpected discovery affirms that we continue to find unknown structures and new species in our Ocean,’ said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Ocean Institute in a statement.

‘The state of our knowledge about what’s in the Ocean has long been so limited. Thanks to new technologies that work as our eyes, ears and hands in the deep ocean, we have the capacity to explore like never before. New oceanscapes are opening to us, revealing the ecosystems and diverse life forms that share the planet with us.’

Dr. Beaman, who was also part of the discovery said: ‘We are surprised and elated by what we have found. To not only 3D map the reef in detail, but also visually see this discovery with SuBastian is incredible. This has only been made possible by the commitment of Schmidt Ocean Institute to grant ship time to Australia’s scientists.’

‘To find a new half-a-kilometer tall reef in the offshore Cape York area of the well-recognized Great Barrier Reef shows how mysterious the world is just beyond our coastline,’ said Dr. Jyotika Virmani, executive director of Schmidt Ocean Institute.

‘This powerful combination of mapping 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 Northern depths of the Great Barrier Reef voyage will continue until November 17 as part of a broader year-long Australia campaign.

The maps created will be available through AusSeabed, a national Australian seabed mapping program, and will also contribute to the Nippon Foundation GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project.

Picture: Schmidt Ocean Institute

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