Researchers on Lord Howe Island had the foresight to collect baseline data by snorkeling on reefs three to 10 feet deep, in order to study the reefs before, during, and after bleaching events. During Australia’s most recent summer, the temperature reached a record-breaking 84.2°F degrees.
In late January, just before the spike in summer temperatures, the researchers found the reef to be pristine and full of vibrant colors. Paige Sawyers, a PhD student at the University of New South Wales who surveyed the corals, described it as reminiscent of how the Great Barrier Reef looked 30 years ago. However, when the team returned a month later, they were shocked to find that the reef had changed beyond recognition. Sawyers noted that there was bleaching at every single site and it was difficult to believe it was the same reef.
As some species of coral begin to die, they exhibit vivid colors like highlighter pinks, purples, and greens, as if making a final cry for help. Sawyers likened it to the corals putting on a neon light show. The drastic and rapid changes observed by the researchers highlight the urgent need to address