Researchers on Lord Howe Island were prepared for the inevitable. By snorkeling in reefs that were three to ten feet deep, they were able to collect baseline data in order to study the reefs prior to, during, and after bleaching events. The sea surface temperatures around Lord Howe Island typically average around 60.8 degrees Fahrenheit in winter, but rise to 78.8 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. The temperatures reached a record-breaking 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit during Australia’s most recent summer.
In late January, just before the summer temperatures spiked, the researchers found the reef to be pristine. The colors were vibrant and breathtaking, resembling what the Great Barrier Reef might have looked like decades ago. However, upon returning a month later, they were shocked to find that the reef had changed drastically. Bleaching was evident at every single site, leaving the researchers feeling like it was a completely different reef.
As some species of coral die off, they emit neon-like colors of pinks, purples, and greens, almost like a final plea for help. This phenomenon was observed by Paige Sawyers, a PhD student at the University of New South Wales who surveyed the corals. The striking change in the reef’s appearance serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of climate change on these delicate ecosystems.