Worst bleaching on record for Western Australian coral reefs
Summary
Coral reefs along Western Australia's coast have experienced the most severe bleaching ever recorded due to an intense marine heatwave. Warmer water temperatures from August to May caused significant damage, affecting areas that previously remained untouched. This is part of a wider global coral bleaching event linked to record high ocean temperatures.Key Facts
- Coral reefs on Western Australia’s coast suffered the worst bleaching on record.
- The bleaching occurred after a "longest, largest and most intense" marine heatwave.
- Higher water temperatures led to coral losing algae, a process called bleaching.
- The damage covers 1,500 km (932 miles) and includes previously unaffected areas.
- The bleaching is part of a global event caused by high ocean temperatures.
- Eight weeks of heat stress can kill coral, and many WA reefs lost 15-30% of their life.
- Areas once thought safe from bleaching, like the Ningaloo Reef, were affected.
- The report calls climate change from carbon emissions the greatest threat to reefs.
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