Scientists warn of Great Barrier Reef extinction as ocean temperatures reach to highest levels in 400 Years

A new study exposes that ocean temperatures around Australia's Great Barrier Reef have surged to their highest levels in 400 years over the past decade, posing a grave threat to this world-renowned ecosystem.

Impact of Human-Induced Climate Change
Published on Thursday, the research highlights the impact of human-induced climate change on the Great Barrier Reef, the largest living structure on Earth. Stretching approximately 2,400 kilometres off the coast of Queensland, the reef has seen significant warming since the early 20th century.

Scientists from Australian universities analysed coral cores, similar to counting tree rings, to gauge summer ocean temperatures dating back to 1618. Combining this historical data with ship and satellite records from the last century, the study reveals that temperatures remained stable until around 1900, when human activities began causing significant rises.

Consequences and Economic Significance
From 1960 to 2024, researchers observed an average annual warming of 0.12°C per decade from January to March. Since 2016, the reef has endured five mass coral bleaching events, which coincide with five of the six warmest years in the past four centuries. These bleaching events occur when corals expel the algae providing them with colour and nutrients due to heat stress, leading to an increased risk of death.