Researchers have identified a massive rose coral colony stretching 1.56 kilometers along the outer reef of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, making it one of the largest known coral colonies on record. The formation extends between depths of 14 and 65 meters and measures an average width of 36.5 meters, covering an area of 56,940 square meters with additional sections extending 200 to 300 meters beyond.
Dr. JP Hobbs from Adelaide University led the mapping effort with researchers from the Queensland Museum and James Cook University. The work required 12 dives to chart the full extent of the colony, with Hobbs using GPS to mark his progress between dives when he ran out of air before reaching the end.
Local dive operator Dieter Gerhard first spotted extensive areas of the coral more than 30 years ago. Researchers realized the full extent of the formation only when they began systematic mapping and discovered that separate sections may be connected as a single enormous colony.
A key question remains unresolved. Researchers are now using genetic testing to determine whether this is one giant coral organism or multiple colonies that have fused together over time.