Page 12: of Marine Technology Magazine (November 2020)

In the News

Get breaking news 24/7/365 @ marinetechnologynews.com

Scienist Discover 500m Tall Coral Reef

Scientists have discovered a massive at Raine Island, the world’s most im- discovered ? ve undescribed species of detached coral reef in the Great Bar- portant green sea turtle nesting area. black coral and sponges and recorded rier Reef, the ? rst to be discovered in “This unexpected discovery af? rms Australia’s ? rst observation of rare more than 120 years, Schmidt Ocean that we continue to ? nd unknown struc- scorpion? sh in the Coral Sea and

Institute announced. tures and new species in our Ocean,” Great Barrier Reef Marine Parks. And

Measuring more than 500m high, said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of the year started with the discovery in the reef was discovered by Australian Schmidt Ocean Institute. “The state February of deep sea coral gardens scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Insti- of our knowledge about what’s in the and graveyards in Bremer Canyon tute’s research vessel Falkor, currently Ocean has long been so limited. Thanks Marine Park.

on a 12-month exploration of the ocean to new technologies that work as our “To ? nd a new half-a-kilometer tall surrounding Australia. eyes, ears and hands in the deep ocean, reef in the offshore Cape York area

The reef was ? rst found on Oct. 20, we have the capacity to explore like of the well-recognized Great Barrier as a team of scientists led by Dr. Robin never before. New oceanscapes are Reef shows how mysterious the world

Beaman from James Cook University opening to us, revealing the ecosystems is just beyond our coastline,” said Dr. was conducting underwater mapping and diverse life forms that share the Jyotika Virmani, executive director of of the northern Great Barrier Reef planet with us.” Schmidt Ocean Institute. “This power- sea? oor. The team then conducted a “We are surprised and elated by what ful combination of mapping data and dive on Oct. 25 using Schmidt Ocean we have found,” said Dr. Beaman. “To underwater imagery will be used to

Institute’s underwater robot SuBastian not only 3D map the reef in detail, but understand this new reef and its role to explore the new reef. The dive was also visually see this discovery with within the incredible Great Barrier live-streamed, with the high-resolution SuBastian is incredible. This has only Reef World Heritage Area.” footage viewed for the ? rst time and been made possible by the commitment The Northern depths of the Great broadcast on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s of Schmidt Ocean Institute to grant ship Barrier Reef voyage will continue website and YouTube channel. time to Australia’s scientists.” until Nov. 17 as part of Schmidt Ocean

The base of the blade-like reef is The discovery of this new coral reef Institute’s broader year-long Austra- 1.5k m-wide, then rises 500m to its adds to a year of underwater discov- lia campaign. The maps created will shallowest depth of only 40m below eries by Schmidt Ocean Institute. In be available through AusSeabed, a the sea surface. This newly discovered April, scientists discovered the longest national Australian seabed mapping detached reef adds to the seven other recorded sea creature, a 45m siphono- program, and will also contribute to tall detached reefs in the area, mapped phore in Ningaloo Canyon, plus up to the Nippon Foundation GEBCO Sea- since the late 1800s, including the reef 30 new species . In August, scientists bed 2030 Project.

Side mapping pro- ? le of new 500 m detached reef.

Credit Schmidt Ocean Institute 12 November/December 2020

MTR #9 (1-17).indd 12 11/3/2020 12:11:09 PM