Elkhorn Coral REGENERATION: After Hurricane Earl in August 2010
JULY 7, 2010- A exquisite , fan shaped, healthy coral
structure.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2010 AFTER HURRICANE
EARL: All of the coral's branches
are broken off, leaving exposed
raw edges.
MARCH 24, 2011- Six months after the
damage, the raw edges have been
re-colonized and a new growth
pattern emerges.
March 24, 2011
- Back-side view
MAY 29, 2011
At 8 months, colony appears to be
recovering nicely.
Backside View - May 29, 2011
OCTOBER 9, 2011 - Fourteen months
after regeneration began. A turning
point for the colony.
-October 9, 2011 Left side view - Fourteen months
after regeneration began. The white
spots at the base are dead areas.
Backside view - October 9,
2011- Fourteen months
after regeneration began.
February 18, 2012 - 18 months
after regeneration began, new growth
continues, but the base polyps continue to
die off.
Left side view - February 18,
2012 18 months
after regeneration began.
Backside view - February 18,
2012 - 18 months
after regeneration began.
- August 10,
2012 - 24 months
after regeneration began.
Left side view - August 10,
2012 - 24 months
after regeneration began.
Backside view - August 10,
2012 - 24 months
after regeneration began.
October 6,
2012 - 26 months
after regeneration began.
White line or white spot disease becoming
more evident.
October 6, 2012- 26 months
after regeneration began. The base
is entirely without life
October 6, 2012 - 26 months
after regeneration began.
May 25,
2013 - Front view - 33 months
after regeneration began. The colony
is in the final stages of death.
May 25,
2013 - Back side view - 33
months
after regeneration began. The colony
is in the final stages of death.
May 25,
2013 - Side view - 33 months
after regeneration began. The colony
is in the final stages of death.
May 25,
2013 - Side view - 33 months
after regeneration began. The colony
is in the final stages of death.
It is a troubling story, but one that is happening all over the island. The corals are dying. A few species seem to be able to tolerate the warmer temperatures, more turbidity and less food to eat, but we are rapidly loosing the diversity and abundance that once thrived here. Not just here, but reefs are dying all over the world. Regardless of the causes or reasons, it has already happened and is happening now. Read more here (external Link)