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Deep-Sea Coral Community

Coral scientist Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor observed corals like these on her first submarine dive to a deep-sea coral bed off the coast of Hawaii.
(Photos by A. Baco, T. Kerby and M. Kremer, Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory and NOAA Ocean Exploration)

Dr. Amy Baco-Taylor observed corals like these on her first submarine dive to a deep-sea coral bed off the coast of Hawaii. They include primnoids, zoanthids, and Gerardia. The high density and diversity of species is typical of most deep-coral beds in Hawaii at this depth. Learn how she became interested in deep-sea corals,  and explore more in the multimedia feature "Coral Gardens of the Deep Sea."