Coral polyps build reefs at astonishing speeds
Minute coral polyps construct vast underwater reefs at rates up to 10 centimeters per year, creating biodiverse ecosystems crucial for over a quarter of all marine life.
Tiny coral polyps, often no bigger than a pinhead, are the ocean's master builders. These invertebrates secrete calcium carbonate to form hard skeletons, collectively creating vast coral reefs. Some branching corals can grow up to 10 centimeters per year, while massive species add about 1 centimeter annually, especially in clear, warm, sunlit waters.
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