The 'underwater bushfire' cooking Australia's reefs
Summary
An unusual marine heatwave has caused severe coral bleaching at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. This is part of a broader global bleaching event affecting coral reefs worldwide. The heatwave has also impacted the Great Barrier Reef, marking the first time both coasts of Australia have experienced bleaching at the same time.Key Facts
- Ningaloo Reef is the world's largest fringing reef located on Australia's north-western coast.
- The reef has been hit by a marine heatwave, causing the corals to bleach, which means they turn white and may die.
- Coral bleaching happens when water temperatures rise too high, disrupting the algae that give corals their color and help them survive.
- This bleaching is part of a global event affecting over 80% of the world’s coral reefs.
- Scientists did not expect the heatwave to continue after peak summer, but temperatures remained high.
- It's the first time both Ningaloo and the Great Barrier Reef on opposite coasts have been bleached simultaneously.
- Coral bleaching can lead to significant harm or even death of corals if they do not recover.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
