File:Florida Keys sea surface temps for 2023 (as of July).png

Too Hot

• https://www.greenpolicy360.net/w/Too_Hot

Ghost reefs: Florida’s vibrant underwater cities are turning into relics

• https://www.wfla.com/weather/climate-classroom/ghost-reefs-floridas-vibrant-underwater-cities-are-turning-into-relics/

by: Jeff Berardelli | Posted: Jul 27, 2023

Jeff Berardelli is a climate specialist and the Chief Meteorologist at News Channel 8.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — In the Florida Keys, this is the face of climate change.

Once colorful coral cities overflowing with marine life, transforming into ghost towns, or better stated, “Ghost reefs” seemingly overnight...

We are surprised by the pace. It is unprecedented what we have seen,” said Scott Atwell the communications and outreach manager for The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Atwell told WFLA Chief Meteorologist and Climate Specialist Tuesday: “We’ve never seen anything like this. Some are not even bleaching, they are going straight to dead.”

“Straight to dead” illustrates just how extreme the marine heatwave is and how quickly it’s evolving. When under stress, typically coral bleach first, expelling their symbiotic algae partners which give them their vibrant hues, and turn white. Then sometime later, if the heat persists, the coral can succumb and die.

But right now in the Florida Keys, there are reports of rapid mortality. Coral is dropping like dominoes across much of the reef tract from Key Largo to Key West – the third largest tract in the world and the only shallow water reef system in the U.S. mainland.

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