The –est Oceans

Coral bleaching event is longest on record

Heat-related damage to corals expected to continue into 2017

coral in American Samoa

WHITE FRIGHT  Warming ocean temperatures threaten reefs around the globe, like this one in American Samoa; the prolonged heat can lead to coral bleaching. 

Wendy Cover/NOAA

By Amy McDermott

- More than 2 years ago

Coral reefs won’t be out of hot water anytime soon. A global bleaching event that began in June 2014 is the longest on record and now covers a larger area than ever before.