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Tuesday, 21 July 2026

Underwater drones discover thriving coral reef off Benin, thought dead since 1960s

Talivio News · Global 1 min read
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A vibrant coral reef with colorful corals and diverse fish swimming in clear blue water. Francesco Ungaro

A coral reef off the coast of Benin, believed to have been dead since the 1960s, has been found alive and teeming with life, according to a modern sonar survey and deep-sea camera system deployed by underwater drones.

The discovery was made using the Deep Sea Camera System from the National Geographic Exploration Technology Lab, alongside modern sonar technology. Underwater drones played a key role in capturing imagery of the reef.

1 reef

A coral reef presumed dead since the 1960s, rediscovered alive

The reef is reportedly teeming with life.

The reef, located off the coast of Benin, was presumed dead for decades. The new survey reveals it is not only alive but also thriving, with abundant marine life.

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Sources

  1. phys.orgUnderwater drones discover coral reefs off Benin, long presumed dead, teeming with life (opens in a new window)
  2. Aggregated sourceUnderwater drones discover coral reefs off Benin, long presumed dead, teeming with life (opens in a new window)
  3. Aggregated sourceBenin's presumed-dead coral reef rediscovered teeming with life (opens in a new window)
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