July 20th, 2010

From Green Right Now Reports

Image: noaa.gov

Higher than normal ocean temperatures are wreaking havoc on coral reefs in south east Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, turning previously color-splashed areas into white wastelands due to a phenomenon known as “coral bleaching.”

“The bleaching is very strong throughout south east Asia and the central Indian Ocean,” Dr. Mark Eakin, coordinator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Coral Reef Watch, said. “The reports are that it is the worst since 1997/1998. This is a really huge event and we are going to see a lot of corals dying.”

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