What is the history of coral bleaching?
The first mass global bleaching events were recorded in 1998 and 2010, which was when the El Niño caused the oceans temperatures to rise and worsened the corals living conditions. The 2014–2017 El Niño was recorded to be the longest and most damaging to the corals, which harmed over 70% of our coral reefs.
When was the second coral bleaching event?
For instance, elevated ocean temperatures in 2010 resulted in a major coral bleaching event in many parts of the world; this became known as the second global bleaching event on record.
When was the last mass coral bleaching event?
2017. Severe coral bleaching affected the central third of the Great Barrier Reef in early 2017 associated with unusually warm sea surface temperatures and accumulated heat stress. This back-to-back (2016 and 2017) mass bleaching was unprecedented and collectively affected two thirds of the Great Barrier Reef.
How many coral bleaching events are there?
The Great Barrier Reef has experienced five mass bleaching events – 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017 and 2020 – all caused by rising ocean temperatures driven by global heating.
When did coral bleaching start?
The first mass coral bleaching was observed during the strong El Niño in 1983, and the first truly global event coincided with the strong El Niño of 1998.
What is the major cause of coral bleaching?
The leading cause of coral bleaching is climate change. A warming planet means a warming ocean, and a change in water temperature—as little as 2 degrees Fahrenheit—can cause coral to drive out algae. Coral may bleach for other reasons, like extremely low tides, pollution, or too much sunlight.
Why was 2015/2016 a high bleaching year?
With the onset of the 2015-16 El Niño, the heat stress focused on the central and eastern Tropical Pacific. The heat stress spread northward, causing the worst bleaching on record in the Main Hawaiian Islands in October 2015 (TNC 2015, Eakin et al. 2016, Kramer et al.
Where is coral bleaching occurring in the world?
Reefs around the world have suffered from mass bleaching events for three consecutive years. Iconic reefs such as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in the United States have all experienced their worst bleaching on record with devastating effects.
When was coral bleaching first discovered?
Is coral bleaching caused by humans?
Increased greenhouse gases from activities like deforestation, and the burning of fossil fuels for heat and energy, cause ocean temperatures to rise, change storm patterns, and contribute to sea level rise. These changes lead to more coral bleaching events, increased storm destruction, and more.
What happens when a coral colony dies?
A Future Without Corals Without corals and the ocean species that rely on them, the ecosystem crashes, and a seaweed-dominated ecosystem takes its place. Once coral reefs disappear, we will lose everything they provide, including marine biodiversity, productive fisheries and potential source of medicines.