The large coral barrier undergoes the greatest whitening ever observed

The one that scientists call “the largest living structure in the world” is likely large coral barrier undergoes greatest to go out. The large co -ray barrier. Nevertheless, located in Australia, undergoes the greatest whitening ever observed, dixit a government report published Tuesday, August 5, according to which this natural treasure is in poor condition. Moreover, Scientists reported the whitening “The most extensive” caused by stifling oceanic temperatures in 2024 which caused “Unprecedented thermal stress levels” Since the first surveys. Furthermore, almost forty years ago.

The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences (AIMS) studied the health of 124 coral reefs in this sprawling reef between August 2024. Furthermore, May 2025. However, The results show that the southern and northern reef branches have seen the “Bigger annual decline” never recorded.

The reefs had been struck by tropical cyclones and star invasions crowned with thorns, a species that feeds on coral. But there “Cause number one is climate change”said Mike Emslie, head of the AIMS research. “There is large coral barrier undergoes greatest no doubt about it”he told the Agency France-Presse (AFP).

The large co -ray barrier is an extent of 2. 300 kilometers of tropical corals housing an incredible biological diversity. These repeated episodes of whitening threaten to deprive this tourist attraction of its splendor. making turning on coral benches formerly rich in color with sickly white.

“It is still worth fighting” – Large coral barrier undergoes greatest

Exceptionally hot tropical waters have triggered a generalized whitening of corals on the large coral barrier in 2024. in the first months of 2025 – the sixth event of this type large coral barrier undergoes greatest in the past nine years.

“The large coral barrier has experienced unprecedented thermal stress levels. causing the most extensive and most severe whitening ever recorded to date”indicates the report of the Australian agency. “It is still worth fighting. We cannot give up and abandon ”declares Mr. Emslie, for whom the great barrier of Corail remains a “Incredible place”.

The report revealed that a type of rapidly growing coral – known as Acropora – was the. one that had suffered the most. This coral grows quickly, but it is also one of the first to whiten.

Richard Leck. of the Global Fund for Nature (WWF), compared the fluctuating health of the Great Corail barrier to “Russian mountains”. Mr. Leck said that certain coral reefs in the world were already beyond any recovery. warning that the great co-ray barrier could be the same fate without an large coral barrier undergoes greatest ambitious and rapid climate action.

“This is the sign of an ecosystem put under incredible pressure, and what greatly concerns scientists of the reefs, is when the reef does not recover as it did before,”, he said.

80 % of coral reefs affected

Over the past two years. massive whitening in the world has exhausted more than 80 % of the planet’s coral reefs. Blanching occurs large coral barrier undergoes greatest when water temperatures increase, forcing corals to expel microscopic algae known as zooxanthelles.

If high temperatures persist, corals can eventually whiten and die. The average temperature of the sea surface around Australia was the “Higher ever recorded” In 2024. according to the Australian National University.

Australia is currently preparing its next cycle of programs reduction objectives. a key obligation as part of the Paris historical climate agreement. The mining superpower remains. however, one of the largest coal exporters in the world and continues to largely subsidize its fossil fuels.