TNPSC Thervupettagam

India’s Giant Coral Colony

June 6 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 32 0
  • Marine researchers have documented the giant Pavona clavus (Potato Patch) coral colony near Kadmat Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
  • The Potato Patch is a hard coral colony of the species Pavona clavus (potato coral), covering about 4,250 square metres, making it one of the world's largest known coral colonies.
  • Located in the southeastern coastal waters of Kadmat Island, the colony is estimated to be 700–1,800 years old and was formed through continuous calcium carbonate deposition by coral polyps.
  • A survey found that 58.47% of its tissue remains alive and healthy, despite repeated marine heatwaves and coral bleaching events.
  • The colony serves as an important habitat for marine life and provides valuable evidence for studying climate change, past ocean conditions, and coral resilience.

 

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