Marine biologist makes amazing discovery at Great Barrier Reef

THE Great Barrier Reef just got even cooler. A marine biologist discovered something more than just fish and coral at a secret location after spotting it on Google maps.

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THE Great Barrier Reef just got even cooler.

A marine biologist discovered something more than just fish and coral at a secret location after spotting it on Google maps.

Whitsundays-based marine biologist, Johnny Gaskell, has discovered an unknown Blue Hole in the Great Barrier Reef, after spotting it on Google maps.

But don't expect to dive it anytime soon as Mr Gaskell will not reveal the location of the Blue Hole and maintains it as a new local secret in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.

Whitsundays-based marine biologist, Johnny Gaskell, has discovered an unknown Blue Hole in the Great Barrier Reef, after spotting it on Google maps.

Mr Gaskell captured incredible footage of the hidden lagoon from above and the thriving coral that lies within.

“After spotting this blue hole on Google maps, we decided to head far offshore, further than our normal Reef trips to see what dwelled within,” Mr Gaskell said.

“What we found inside was hard to believe considering 5 months ago a category 4 cyclone went straight over the top of it.”

Whitsundays-based marine biologist, Johnny Gaskell, has discovered an unknown Blue Hole in the Great Barrier Reef, after spotting it on Google maps.

Gaskell believes he and his team may be the first to ever dive the Blue Hole with the lagoon walls acting as a source of protection to the coral for decades.

“At around 15 to 20 meters deep, there were huge Birdsnest Corals (Seriatopora) and super elongated Staghorn Corals (Acropora), both of which were among the biggest and most delicate colonies I’ve ever seen,” Mr Gaskell said.

“It’s not as deep as the famous Great Blue Hole in Belize but it is a really unique spot,” he said.

Whitsundays-based marine biologist, Johnny Gaskell, has discovered an unknown Blue Hole in the Great Barrier Reef, after spotting it on Google maps.

Originally published as Marine biologist makes amazing discovery at Great Barrier Reef