Coastal Marvel: Massive Coral Reef System Discovered from Miami to South Carolina
In a groundbreaking revelation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ocean Exploration team has unveiled the existence of the world’s largest deep-sea coral reef off the East Coast. Spanning an expansive 6.4 million acres, this mesmerizing seascape stretches from the vibrant shores of Miami, Florida, to the charming coastline of Charleston, South Carolina, dwarfing the entire state of Vermont in comparison.
Contrary to long-held beliefs, the discovery challenges the notion of the Atlantic’s Blake Plateau being a desolate expanse. The revelation, documented in the journal Geomatics on January 12, dismisses the idea of the plateau as a dead zone, exposing a breathtaking ecology teeming with dense thickets of reef-building coral.
NOAA Ocean Exploration Operations Chief Kasey Cantwell expressed the astonishment of the scientific community, stating, “We believed for years that a large portion of the Blake Plateau was soft sediment and sparsely populated.” The newfound revelation has shattered these preconceptions, highlighting the importance of comprehensive mapping in understanding the hidden wonders of the ocean.
Positioned between 35 to 75 miles off the coast, this awe-inspiring reef, nicknamed “Million Mounds” by scientists, predominantly consists of a robust type of hard coral flourishing at depths ranging from 656 to 3,280 feet. The chilly waters, with an average temperature of 39 degrees, provide a unique environment for the growth of these cold-water corals, surviving in the absence of sunlight by filter-feeding on biological particles.
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The significance of these corals extends beyond their sheer size. Acting as ecosystem engineers, they create structures that serve as shelters, sources of food, and nursery habitats for various invertebrates and fish. Despite their importance, the study underscores the limited understanding of these deep-sea corals, emphasizing the need for further exploration and research.
The initial hints of this submerged marvel emerged in 2019, prompting scientists to patiently wait for a comprehensive mapping effort before making the discovery public. The culmination of over thirty multi-beam sonar mapping studies and twenty-three submersible dives produced a detailed map, identifying a staggering 83,908 individual coral mound peak features.
According to experts, the study not only unveils the massive scale of the coral province but also highlights its unique characteristics, with nearly continuous coral mound features spanning up to 500 kilometers long and 110 kilometers wide. A “core area” within this vast expanse reveals high-density mounds, some extending up to 158 miles in length and 26 miles in width.
The discovery was a result of a collaborative effort involving the Ocean Exploration Trust, the University of New Hampshire, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Temple University, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in addition to NOAA Ocean Exploration. Derek Sowers, the lead author of the study and Mapping Operations Manager for the Ocean Exploration Trust, emphasized the significance of pooling resources for such extensive and fruitful exploration.
In essence, this unprecedented find not only redefines our understanding of the ocean’s depths but also underscores the importance of continued collaborative efforts in unraveling the mysteries that lie beneath the surface. The awe-inspiring beauty and ecological richness of the Million Mounds serve as a testament to the wonders that remain undiscovered in our vast and complex oceans.
