In a quiet section of the Natural History Museum in London, two researchers reveal a true hidden treasure: shelves lined with fossilized corals, some as old as 30 million years, collected from diverse marine habitats around the world. Among these fossils, some resemble petrified brains, while others appear like stones with intricate, delicate patterns.
Ken Johnson, a paleontologist and museum specialist, examines these fossils with excitement. “I like looking at traces from the past to understand what we can learn from them,” he remarks. Beside him, marine biologist and geoscientist Nadia Santodomingo shares the mission of studying these ancient corals, collected over a decade ago in Indonesia with the support of the local Geological Agency. The team’s goal is to uncover secrets from a region known as the “coral triangle” and apply these insights to conserve modern-day reefs. “Understanding how corals responded to past environmental changes might help us predict their reactions to future challenges,” says Johnson.
This fossil collection has helped scientists gain new insights into marine life and has highlighted important coral sanctuaries, which may serve as critical refuges for species as oceans change.
The Coral Triangle: The ‘Underwater Amazon’
Often called the “Amazon of the oceans,” the coral triangle, one of the planet’s most biodiverse areas, is as packed with life as dense tropical rainforests. This ecosystem stretches across parts of Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands.
This extraordinary region is home to 75% of all known coral species – over 700 types – and a rich array of life, including 3,000 species of reef fish and six of the world’s seven marine turtle species. “The coral triangle is the Earth’s most diverse marine habitat,” Johnson says, “and my team has always wondered: what makes this place so unique?”
Corals, formed by small marine polyps related to jellyfish, create strong exoskeletons that, along with thousands of other polyps, form stunning coral reefs. These skeletons remain even after the polyps die, creating the foundations of reefs. By studying these corals, Johnson and Santodomingo’s team hopes to reveal more about marine evolution and contribute to the protection of one of our planet’s most precious ecosystems.
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