The first new coral reef in 120 years has been discovered on the Great Barrier Reef
News
By Katie Stow
It's been 120 years since a new coral reef was discovered within the Great Barrier Reef, and now Australian scientists on Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor have found one taller than the Empire State Building, lying off the coast of Cape York.
The 500 metre-tall reef was identified on October 20 when the team was conducting underwater mapping during a 12-month ocean exploration. On October 25, they deployed remotely-controlled underwater robot "SuBastian" to explore it further, sending back live-streamed footage.
Broad mapping profile of new 500m reef | image via Schmidt Ocean Insitute
The reef's base is 1.5 km wide, and at its tallest point sits only 40 metres below the ocean's surface.
"This unexpected discovery affirms that we continue to find unknown structures and new species in our ocean," says Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Ocean Institute.
"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. To not only 3D map the reef in detail, but also visually see this discovery with SuBastian is incredible."
Dr Jiyotika Virmani, Executive Director of Schmidt Ocean Institute, says the discovery of such a massive reef in a well-recognised part of the Great Barrier Reef only ilustrates how mysterious the world is just beyond our coastline.
"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."
Underwater robot SuBastian is deployed off research vessel Falkor's back deck
This discovery adds to a year of exciting underwater finds by Schmidt Ocean Institute: in February, they found new deep-sea coral gardens; in April, they discovered the longest recorded sea creature, along with 30 new species; and in August, they found five new species of black coral and sponges along with Australia's first sighting of a scorpionfish.
Their voyage will continue until November 17.
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Feature image: R/V Falkor operating on the Great Barrier Reef | via Schmidt Ocean Institute
