Scientists discover a new reef that rivals the Great Barrier Reef

Off the coast of southern Australia, scientists have uncovered a new underwater treasure that compares with one of the natural wonders of the world. Officials from Parks Victoria, Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park near Melbourne report that they've found a previously undiscovered reef that rivals the Great Barrier Reef in terms of "its abundance of coral, sponge, and fish," Mashable reports. The Great Barrier Reef, located in Queensland, is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site for its plethora of marine animal and plant life.
An in-depth look at the new reef with a remotely operated vehicle and cameras revealed that, alongside "rich and abundant marine ecosystems that are comparable to Australia's better-known tropical reef areas," there was also an abundance of sponge gardens and corals that one scientist says is a "particularly exciting find." Fish typically rare to the area, such as the Australian barracuda and longsnout boarfish, were also found in the new reef.
But before you pack your wetsuits, keep in mind that the new reef won't be nearly as accessible as the Great Barrier Reef for snorkelers. Because the reef is located in deeper water, the destination is better suited to scuba divers.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
SpaceX breaks Starship losing streak in 10th test
speed read The Starship rocket's test flight was largely successful, deploying eight dummy satellites during its hour in space
-
Rabbits with 'horns' sighted across Colorado
speed read These creatures are infected with the 'mostly harmless' Shope papilloma virus
-
Lithium shows promise in Alzheimer's study
Speed Read Potential new treatments could use small amounts of the common metal
-
Scientists discover cause of massive sea star die-off
Speed Read A bacteria related to cholera has been found responsible for the deaths of more than 5 billion sea stars
-
'Thriving' ecosystem found 30,000 feet undersea
Speed Read Researchers discovered communities of creatures living in frigid, pitch-black waters under high pressure
-
New York plans first nuclear plant in 36 years
Speed Read The plant, to be constructed somewhere in upstate New York, will produce enough energy to power a million homes
-
Dehorning rhinos sharply cuts poaching, study finds
Speed Read The painless procedure may be an effective way to reduce the widespread poaching of rhinoceroses
-
Breakthrough gene-editing treatment saves baby
speed read KJ Muldoon was healed from a rare genetic condition