A powerful force is stopping the Indian Ocean from cooling itself – spelling more danger for Ningaloo

<https://theconversation.com/a-powerful-force-is-stopping-the-indian-ocean-from-cooling-itself-spelling-more-danger-for-ningaloo-250151>

"Widespread coral bleaching at Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia’s coast has
deeply alarmed scientists and conservationists.

Photos captured by divers, published by The Guardian last week, show severe
bleaching at several sites along the reef, which runs for 260 kilometres off
the state’s northwest.

A severe marine heatwave in the Indian Ocean off WA has caused the coral
bleaching. In some places, surface temperatures up to 4°C warmer than usual
have been recorded.

Hotter temperatures aren’t only happening at the ocean’s surface – data
indicates they also extend several hundred metres deep. Warm, deeper water can
shut down the ocean’s natural cooling process, putting corals at even greater
risk of bleaching."

Cheers,
       *** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net               Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/                 Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/            Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/               Manager, Serious Cybernetics