Reef relief: how a late summer monsoon helped cool the Great Barrier Reef at just the right time
Scientists have been monitoring the reef’s health for the past 40 years.
Australia's Great Barrier Reef is a unique and diverse underwater landscape, but it faces threats from disturbances and recovery cycles that are becoming more volatile due to global warming. The Australian Institute of Marine Science has been documenting these changes for four decades. In 2024, the reef experienced its largest single-year decline in coral cover due to a record-breaking marine heatwave.
However, our latest report reveals promising signs of recovery. Scientists have noticed increased coral cover in the northern and central regions of the reef from 2025 to 2026. The arrival of a monsoon in early 2026, which brings cooling sea temperatures through cloud cover, rain, and windy conditions, may have played a significant role in this recovery.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
