Coral Reefs in French Polynesia Are Stuck Between Life and Death

Coral Reefs in French Polynesia Are Stuck Between Life and Death

Scientists’ discovery of hollowed coral skeletons after a 2019 bleaching event reveals a reef that isn’t coming back.

French Polynesia’s Coral Reefs Trapped in Death Spiral After Devastating Bleaching Event

The pristine waters surrounding Moorea, a volcanic island in French Polynesia, tell a troubling story beneath their crystal-clear surface. Where ancient lava flows once created the perfect foundation for vibrant coral reefs, scientists have discovered a marine ecosystem caught between survival and collapse. Following a severe bleaching event in 2019, researchers examining the reef made a disturbing discovery: coral skeletons had been completely …