Coral bleaching
Assessed by an AI model against this signal's rubric. Describes conditions; not a forecast or advice.
NormalWorseningNo global event since June
Fourth global bleaching event ended in June; El Niño threatens a fifth
Why it's at this level
NOAA confirmed in June 2026 that the fourth global coral bleaching event had ended. Reef agencies in the Seychelles and Caribbean have warned that the strong El Niño could trigger new bleaching as Southern Hemisphere waters warm; no new regional mass bleaching was confirmed as of 1 Nov.
What this means for you
Reef-dependent fisheries and tourism face renewed risk over the coming southern summer.
Why it matters
Reefs support a quarter of marine species and coastal economies; mass bleaching is a direct sign of ocean heat stress.
What moves it
Marine heatwaves, El Niño, warming trend.
Status at each of the last 2 checks
How it's rated
Alert
Bleaching extent at record levels with active new alerts in the past month.
Watch
Global bleaching event in progress, or regional mass bleaching.
Normal
No global bleaching event in progress.