Marine heatwaves caused mass coral bleaching, leaving scientists alarmed about the reef’s survival.

The Great Barrier Reef has just endured its worst summer on record, and scientists are sounding the alarm. Unrelenting marine heatwaves fueled by climate change pushed ocean temperatures to extremes, causing widespread coral bleaching across the world’s largest reef system. Experts warn that the damage could take decades to heal—if recovery is even possible. For Australia and the planet, the reef’s decline is a stark reminder of how quickly rising temperatures can unravel fragile ecosystems.








