Unprecedented Bleaching Devastates Australia's Ningaloo Reef

An unprecedented mass bleaching event is devastating Australia's Ningaloo Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ocean scientist Kate Quigley reports that a prolonged marine heatwave has "cooked" the reef, causing widespread coral bleaching across multiple species. Data indicates this could be the worst bleaching event since 2011, affecting depths beyond the reef's surface. Water temperatures off Western Australia have soared up to 3°C above average, exceeding the bleaching threshold since mid-January. Bleaching occurs when corals expel algae due to heat stress, weakening them but not immediately causing death. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but the event poses a significant threat to the vibrant ecosystem.