Scientists discovered a spectacular coral reef near Tahiti. The 3km-long reef is 30 metres deep. Its corals may contain previously undiscovered species. They already found hundreds of rose-shaped coral. Diver Alexis Rosenfeld said he was stunned when he saw the reef. He wrote: "It was magical to witness…corals which stretch for as far as the eye can see. It was like a work of art." A scientist said the discovery amid a biodiversity crisis was "good news".
The location of the reef means it is in pristine condition. Most reefs are in warm water, which makes them prone to bleaching. Tahiti's reef is deep enough to protect it from bleaching. UNESCO said the Tahiti reef is "one of the most extensive healthy coral reefs on record". It believes more of the deep ocean should be mapped. It said: "We know more about the surface of the Moon or the surface of Mars than the deeper part of the ocean."
Try the same news story at these levels:
Coral Reefs - Level 5 or Coral Reefs - Level 6
Sources- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/1/20/pristine-reef-of-giant-rose-shaped-corals-found-off-tahiti
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/one-of-the-worlds-largest-coral-reefs-discovered-in-twilight-zone-off-tahiti/
- https://www.newscientist.com/article/2305315-pristine-coral-reef-discovered-in-deep-water-off-the-coast-of-tahiti/
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