Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has suffered a mass bleaching event, according to officials

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is suffering a major “mass bleaching event” as its coral comes under ‘stress head’ from warmer seas.

The Reef Authority says that aerial survey shows that coral bleaching is happening at multiple reefs and is the fourth event since 2016.

Only two other mass bleaching events have ever been recorded

Scientists have long been calling for urgent action on climate change, stating governments must act if the world’s largest reef system is to survive.

There are particular concerns that this bleaching event has occurred in the same year as a La Niña weather phenomenon. Typically in Australia, a La Niña brings cooler temperatures.

Scientists are now fearful of the damage that could be caused by the next El Niño.