Rising ocean temperatures threaten spread of major heat stress to Hawaiian reefs
As unusually warm ocean temperatures cover the north Pacific, equatorial Pacific, and western Atlantic oceans, NOAA scientists expect greater bleaching of corals on Northern Hemisphere reefs through October, potentially leading to the death of corals over a wide area and affecting the long-term supply of fish and shellfish.
![Compared to healthy coral, which appear in shades of purple and gold, bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef appear bone white. (Image credit: Mia Hoogenboom, for ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.) Compared to healthy coral, which appear in shades of purple and gold, bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef appear bone white.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/legacy/image/2019/Jun/barrierreef_bleaching_1120x534.jpg?itok=3d2P4byx)
Compared to healthy coral, which appear in shades of purple and gold, bleached coral on the Great Barrier Reef appear bone white. (Image credit: Mia Hoogenboom, for ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies.)