Scientists exploring the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia have uncovered a massive new reef that rises 500 meters from the seafloor.
This colossal underwater structure surpasses the height of some of the world’s most iconic buildings, including New York’s Empire State Building and Malaysia’s Petronas Twin Towers.
In comparison, the Empire State Building reaches just 381 meters to its highest inhabited floor, while the Sydney Tower stands at 305 meters. Even the Petronas Towers, which extend to 451.9 meters, fall short of this newly discovered natural “giant.”
This discovery sheds new light on the hidden geological wonders of the ocean.
The reef was located off the coast of North Queensland by researchers aboard the Falkor, a ship operated by the Schmidt Ocean Institute. It is the first reef of its kind to be discovered in over a century.
The team stumbled upon this towering structure while conducting detailed mapping of the northern Great Barrier Reef, revealing an ecosystem that had remained hidden in plain sight.
Deep Robotic Exploration
To further investigate the reef, scientists deployed SuBastian, an advanced underwater robotic explorer.
Equipped with high-definition cameras and sophisticated sensors, SuBastian provided unprecedented close-up footage of the structure. The remotely operated vehicle captured images of the reef’s unique topography, unveiling intricate coral formations and diverse marine life.
Beyond its role in exploration, SuBastian allowed the researchers to share their findings with a global audience. The footage was streamed live, enabling scientists, students, and ocean enthusiasts worldwide to witness the discovery in real time. This public engagement highlighted the importance of deep-sea research and the potential for further underwater revelations.
The base of the reef, described as “blade-sharp,” spans 1.5 kilometers wide and rises steeply, with its shallowest point reaching just 40 meters below the ocean’s surface.
Interestingly, while this new reef stands out due to its recent discovery, it is not entirely alone. The area hosts seven other towering independent reefs, including one near Raine Island, known as a vital nesting site for green turtles.
Mission leader Robin Beaman expressed his amazement at the discovery. “Mapping the reef in 3D with such detail and then seeing the discovery with SuBastian is incredible“, Beaman shared. This sentiment underscores the technological advancements that make such intricate ocean explorations possible.
Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of the Schmidt Ocean Institute, echoed this sense of awe. “This unexpected discovery confirms that we continue to find unknown structures and new species in our oceans”, she stated, adding, “Our knowledge of what exists in the ocean has long been limited”.
