Paris (AFP) –  Scientists have discovered one of the world's largest coral reefs off the coast of Tahiti, a vast area of

'Remarkable' giant coral reef found off Tahiti

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2022-01-20 19:30:14

Paris (AFP) – Scientists have discovered one of the world's largest coral reefs off the coast of Tahiti, a vast area of "pristine" rose-shaped corals deep under water apparently unharmed by climate change, UNESCO announced Thursday.

The area of healthy coral in cooler waters between 30 and 65 metres (98 to 213 feet) deep is a "highly unusual" find, UNESCO said, and could suggest there are more reefs in the ocean depth that may be safer from the impacts of warming waters.

"The discovery of this reef in such a pristine condition is good news and can inspire future conservation," said Laetitia Hedouin, a marine biologist at French research agency (CNRS).

The reef is approximately three kilometres (two miles) in length and up to 65 metres wide in places, which UNESCO said "makes it one of the most extensive healthy coral reefs on record".

Most of the world's known reefs have been found at depths of up to 25 metres and the UN heritage body said the Tahiti reef could suggest there are more areas of healthy coral in the ocean's unmapped "twilight zone".

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