One of the planet's most significant reefs resembles the Moon's surface, raising concerns among scientists (video).

Divers at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia captured footage resembling the surface of the Moon more than a healthy coral reef. The video and photos were released by the Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS), which urged both state and federal governments to disclose their plans for protecting one of the planet's most ecologically significant reefs, as reported by IFLScience.

Researchers are concerned that it may already be too late for much of the reef — there is a possibility that most corals will die within the next few weeks.

Coral reefs rely on the symbiosis between the coral itself and dinoflagellates, which use sunlight to produce sugars that they provide to the coral in exchange for protection and a place to grow. When corals experience stress beyond a certain level, they expel the dinoflagellates, thus losing their color.

Although bleached corals may appear dead, they can actually recover. However, if the stress-inducing conditions persist for more than a few weeks, the corals will die. In a good year for coral larval settlement, fast-growing species can recover within a few months, but for slow-growing species that play a crucial role in the health of the reef ecosystem, major bleaching events have long-term impacts.

Observations indicate that most coral reefs around the world are indeed suffering from stress due to a variety of reasons:

• pollution;
• overfishing;
• nutrient runoff from nearby farms.

Ningaloo Reef is located in a sparsely populated area of northern Western Australia and had managed to avoid most threats until now. However, corals have a narrow temperature range in which they can survive, and climate change is affecting all corners of the Earth.

Previously, scientists had already warned that Ningaloo might face challenges this year: in addition to record temperatures in 2024, the northwest of Western Australia experienced an area of extremely hot water that led to massive fish deaths in the Pilbara, north of Ningaloo. The Leeuwin Current then brought this water to Ningaloo, a place that tourism authorities describe as the "shimmering jewel in the crown of Western Australia."

Ningaloo is known as one of the few places where whale sharks come close to shore, allowing people to swim nearby. The coral reef is also frequented by humpback whales, turtles, and mantas. However, scientists are now alarmed by the condition of the coral reef. According to AMCS WA director Paul Gambin, bleaching at Ningaloo is abnormal and requires immediate intervention.