84% of the World's Coral Reefs Hit by Worst Bleaching Event on Record, Scientists Say

Global warming: In 84 percent of coral reefs worldwide, overly warm water is causing bleaching, increasing the risk of coral death.

84% of world's coral reefs affected by worst coral bleaching event in history

A global coral bleaching episode has hit 84% of the world's coral reefs, making it the worst bleaching event recorded in history, according to a report by the International Coral Reef Initiative released Wednesday.

The massive episode of coral bleaching that has been going on for two years has been breaking record, and nearly 84% of the planet's reefs are now damaged, threatening to kill these ecosystems that are essential for marine life and hundreds of millions of people.

Latest coral reef bleaching is worst on record, turning 84% pale white, surveys show

Harmful bleaching of the world's coral has grown to include 84% of the ocean's reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history, scientists say.

The ongoing coral bleaching since 2023 has now captured a large part of the world's reefs. An international initiative warns against the far-reaching effects.

Ongoing global coral bleaching event affects 84% of world’s reefs

Coral reefs around the world have been subjected to unprecedented heat stress since early 2023. A new report finds heat-related coral bleaching has damaged corals in more than 80 countries, making it the most extensive bleaching event ever recorded, with no clear end in sight. Between January 2023 and April 2025, heat stress impacted 84% of coral reefs worldwide, from the Mesoamerican Reef in the Caribbean to so-called supercorals in the Red Sea…