Oceania: Record-breaking marine heatwave devastates coral reefs

Western Australia is experiencing the most severe marine heatwave on record, resulting in over 90% bleaching and death of coral reefs along a 1,500-kilometer coastline. The Australian Institute of Marine Science notes that even coral reefs previously unaffected have not been spared, with full recovery expected to take 10–15 years. Meteorological data shows that sea temperatures during the 2024–2025 summer reached a century-high, with ongoing deep-sea warming significantly increasing the frequency of heatwave events.