A massive detached reef that forms part of the Great Barrier Reef will be named after the vessel scientists were on board when they made the incredible discovery.

The reef, to be named ‘Falkor Reef’ is expected to become a tourist attraction and starts about 40 metres below the surface.

It was discovered by scientists back in 2020 and stands at 500 metres tall.

James Cook University chief scientist Dr Robin Beaman says it’s taller than the Empire State Building or the Sydney Tower.

“It’s 500 metres tall, a so-called detached reef, found at the every far northern part of Great Barrier Reef offshore of Cape York Peninsula,” he told 4BC News.

“It’s the first detached reef to be found at the reef in well over 180 years.”

He described it as a “sea mount” attracting plenty of fish and sharks.

Images: iStock/Queensland Resources