One of the few blocks that requires diving into the deep, sometimes unfriendly waters of the ocean in Minecraft. However, this does not make it any less fascinating! This week’s featured block is coral!
Corals were introduced to the game relatively recently, but delving into their backstory reveals a much more intriguing tale. In 2009, the developers had the idea to incorporate coral blocks into Minecraft Bedrock. Then, in 2012, a snapshot announced the upcoming release of coral alongside “fish blocks,” but player expectations were ultimately unmet. Fast forward nine years to June 2018, when the Aquatic update finally brought coral blocks into the underwater realm of the game.
In Minecraft, there are five types of coral: tube, brain, bubble, fire, and horn. Additionally, all five types are further divided into subtypes: some grow on the top side of the block, while others thrive on the bottom.
Corals naturally form in warm oceanic biomes known as coral reefs. These organisms require water to survive; without it, they become lifeless. And who would want dead corals? Perhaps only skeletons might fancy a few pieces for themselves. I doubt anyone has ever cared about the desires of a skeleton, but I’m sure the idea of adding another deceased entity to their collection would delight them.
To harvest coral, you’ll need a tool enchanted with silk touch. It may be challenging, but there’s a silver lining: unlike obsidian, coral can be collected instantly, saving you time. Once you’ve obtained coral, your only option is to use it for decoration. Seriously, so many creative possibilities could have been explored with this item, yet we end up with just a simple decorative piece. Well, at least fish can inhabit it.
In the real world, corals are primarily found in coral reefs within warm oceans, much like in Minecraft Bedrock. However, unlike the game, there are far more species present. In the Great Barrier Reef alone in Australia, there are over 600 different types of both hard and soft corals, and marine biologists continue to discover new varieties.
Coral may resemble a plant to some extent, but it is actually an animal, and its distant relatives include jellyfish. Corals exist in small colonies made up of identical clones known as “polyps.” These polyps are just a few centimeters long, with a mouth surrounded by tentacles at one end of their body, while the other end features a hard exoskeleton. Over many centuries, these exoskeletons accumulate on rocks, leading to the formation of reefs.
Corals are stationary organisms, which means that any impact on the ocean—such as mineral extraction, fishing, oil drilling, environmental pollution, the spread of infections and diseases, warming, and water acidification—negatively affects them. All these factors harm the ocean, thereby making life even more challenging for corals. The effects of high temperatures are particularly severe; during such times, corals can die off, leading to a completely bleached reef. In 1998, approximately 16% of the world’s reefs were lost. According to scientists’ estimates, within just ten years, nearly half of all coral reefs on Earth could be dead.
However, there is some positive news. People have recognized the urgency of this situation and have enacted laws to safeguard coral rights. To be honest, these measures are proving effective. Coral reefs that were on the brink of extinction have been rehabilitated, and life within them is gradually returning to normal. Additionally, it seems that certain species are better equipped to handle higher temperatures and increased acidity than others.
If you have always dreamed of witnessing coral reefs in person, now is the time to act, as despite human efforts to remedy the situation, restoring everything to its former state remains unattainable.
If you have always dreamed of witnessing coral reefs in person, now is the time to act, as despite human efforts to remedy the situation, restoring everything to its former state remains unattainable.
