Coral Reefs in French Polynesia Are Stuck Between Life and Death
Key takeaways
- On the island of Moorea, in French Polynesia, deep green volcanic mountains slope from high peaks down towards the sea.
- Between the ancient rock formations, blacktip reef sharks swish their tails over a sandy seabed.
- In the middle of the South Pacific, 2,700 miles south of Hawaii, Moorea is known within the coral science community as an incredibly resilient place.
Why this matters: environmental and climate reporting with long-term consequences.
Republish. A diver checks the coral reefs of Moorea in French Polynesia during a major bleaching event on May 9, 2019. Credit: Alexis Rosenfeld/Getty Images Related Scientists Outplant Experimental ‘Flonduran’ Corals in Florida’s Dry Tortugas National Park Sewage Is Threatening Coral Reefs Around the World, Even in Marine Protected Areas Scientists Push for More Ambitious Climate Targets Share This Article Republish Most Popular EPA Rollbacks Could Raise AC, Refrigeration Costs Despite Promise of Lower Prices The Okefenokee’s Bid for International Recognition Sewage and Fuel Leaks Contaminate the Potomac River, Source of Drinking Water for More Than 5 Million People This story was supported by the Pulitzer Center.
On the island of Moorea, in French Polynesia, deep green volcanic mountains slope from high peaks down towards the sea. But they don’t stop at the shore. The ridgelines of ancient lava flows stretch underwater, providing the perfect rocky substrate for a coral reef.
Between the ancient rock formations, blacktip reef sharks swish their tails over a sandy seabed. And on these underwater mountains, the reef once thrived.