Coral Bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef in 2016
Coral bleaching hotspots around the Great Barrier Reef (illustrated in purple) from January – June 2016.
- Image ID 56402971
- Production Year 2024
- Length 00:00:12
- Production Company Earthtime
Synopsis
In 2016, the Great Barrier Reef experienced a mass coral bleaching event for the fifth time in eight years.Bleaching occurs when corals are exposed to stressful conditions, such as high temperatures, pollution, or changes in the water’s chemistry, causing them to expel algae called zooxanthellae that gives them life and colour. The corals turn white and if the stressful conditions persist, they can die.The scale on this visualisation shows Degree Heating Week (DHW). DHW is an accumulation of instantaneous heat stress (Coral Bleaching Hotspots) over a 12-week running window. A DHW value of 4 degree Celsius-weeks (C-weeks) or greater is capable of causing sufficient stress for corals to bleach significantly.Full data records and further information can be found here: https://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/product/5km/index_5km_dhw.php
Credit
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Production Companies
Earthtime