Good News Amidst Danger: Doughnut-Shaped Reef Found Behind Iconic Great Barrier Reef

Apparently, the Great Barrier Reef has good news to share the world in the midst of the danger it is currently facing. A group of scientists announced on Friday the discovery of a huge doughnut-shaped coral reef in Northern Queensland. It was sitting behind the iconic reef.

According to CNN, the scientists are from James Cook University, Queensland University of Technology, and University of Sydney. The discovery was "vast" according to Mardi McNeil of the Queensland University of Technology. She was the lead author of the research.

Scientists said green algae Halimeda bioherms created these unique-looking structures. A formation of white cornflake-like residue of limestone occurs when algae die; and soon after, large rings are built. Each ring measures 200 to 300 meters across and approximately 10 meters deep at the center.

"We've known about these geological structures in the northern Great Barrier Reef since the 1970s and 80s, but never before has the true nature of their shape, size and vast scale been revealed." This was according to Robin Beaman, professor at James Cook University He was also part of the team that discovered the reef. ABC reported that the scientists were surprised and puzzled by the discovery.

Meanwhile, Beaman said the discovery has opened numerous subjects of research. According to him, sub-surface geophysical surveys, sediment coring, and using autonomous underwater vehicle technologies will be required in future studies. The goal is to unravel the structures' biological and chemical processes.

Earlier this year, The Guardian reported about the largest coral destruction on the Great Barrier Reef. It has been in the news because of the coral bleaching that has killed nearly 25% of the reef this year. The bleaching was caused by climate change and numerous scientists believed it might be too late to save the rest. The new discovery currently making headlines indeed gave a dose of good thoughts in the middle of bad news and negative predictions about the reef.