November 16, 2021: Giant Sponge

During the 2015 Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deepwaters off Hawaiʻi expedition, scientists imaged what was later determined to be the largest sponge known in the world. Found at a depth of 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the sponge was close to 3.7 meters (12 feet long) and 2.1 meters (7 feet) wide, comparable in size to a minivan.

Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, 2015 Hohonu Moana. Download larger version (jpg, 940 KB).

During the 2015 Hohonu Moana: Exploring Deepwaters off Hawaiʻi expedition, scientists imaged what was later determined to be the largest sponge known in the world. Found at a depth of 2,130 meters (7,000 feet) within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the sponge was close to 3.7 meters (12 feet long) and 2.1 meters (7 feet) wide, comparable in size to a minivan.