Great Barrier Reef hit by worst coral die-off on record

Scientists have recorded the biggest ever coral die-off in history on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Months after reports of unprecedented coral bleaching disaster left scientists in shock and horror, Australian researchers measured the extent of damage and announced it as the worst coral die-off.

The sites on the Northern Great Barrier Reef were surveyed in March and April and then again in October and November. The findings show that two-thirds of a 700 kilometer stretch of coral have died off due to the record-warm temperatures of the ocean. This means a 67 percent loss of shallow water corals in the surveyed areas.

Researchers warn that the predicted additional degree of global warming, can be very challenging for places like the Great Barrier Reef.

Coral bleaching occurs when the water is too warm and forces the marine species to expel living algae, resulting in calcification. Recovering the algal coral is possible if water temperature drops. High temperature waters can also cause coral diseases or migration.