Phys.org

Genomic evidence suggests coral reefs may be rewriting their genetic future in real time

The 2019 heat wave that struck Mo'oreaa volcanic island in French Polynesiaswept through its coral reefs like an invisible wildfire. Colorful, lively corals bleached into ghostly, chalk-white skeletons as soaring ocean temperatures triggered a mass mortality event (MME) that wiped out up to 80% of some local coral populations.