STORY: Once vibrant in color... much of the world's coral reefs have turned completely white. "This is the biggest coral bleaching event on record."In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Derek Manzello of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said about 77% of the world's coral reefs have been subject to bleaching-level heat stress - the most extensive on record.

Triggered by heat stress in warm oceans, coral bleaching occurs when corals expel the colourful algae living in their tissues. Without these helpful algae, the corals become pale

Since 2023, more than 70% of the world’s reefs have experienced a level of heat stress. Elevated water temperatures trigger the reefs to expel microscopic algae, which results in the loss of the reef’s vibrant colors.

A global coral bleaching event that began last year has quickly grown to the largest on record, according to a US agency, with the impacted reef area continuing to grow.

A global coral bleaching event that began last year has quickly grown to the largest on record, according to a US environmental agency.