Divers who are part of the ocean mapping initiative funded by UNESCO came across a shocking discovery off the coast of Tahiti: a massive undiscovered coral reef. The reef is one of the largest in the world and was described by the divers as “a work of art” full of rose-shaped corals. Researchers came across the reef 60 feet underwater, in the ocean’s “twilight zone”, which is much deeper than most reefs are found. Thankfully, the depth has allowed for the reef to be protected from bleaching and habitat loss. Scientists are excited at the possibility of additional unexplored reefs existing at this depth in other parts of the world.
Image via Alexis Rosenfeld
Read other stories from the 1/31/22 newsletter: