Dead Elkhorn coral

This Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) near Buck Island, U.S. Virgin Islands has died and collapsed. As coral reef structure degrades, valuable habitat for marine life is lost and nearby coastlines become more susceptible to storms, waves and erosion.

Credit: Curt Storlazzi, USGS

• Coral reefs struggle to keep up with rising seas, leave coastal communities at risk (20 April 2017)

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