In the Gulf of Naples, 500 meters below sea level, lies a large, ancient, previously unknown coral reef, scientists said Friday.
It was discovered by the National Research Council's Gaia Blu research vessel, coordinated by the Institute of Marine Sciences in Bologna, which is conducting the Demetra scientific expedition in the area.
The Anton Dohrn Zoological Station of Naples, the Polytechnic University of Marche, and the Federico II University of Naples are also participating in the mission.
The imposing structures, over two meters wide, were revealed thanks to a remotely operated underwater vehicle.
They consist primarily of so-called "white corals," so called for their lack of color, but also include black corals, solitary corals, sponges, and other species of great ecological importance.
