Full Project Walkthrough
Corals become bleached when environmental stressors like changes in temperature, light, or nutrient levels cause them to expel the algae that live within their tissues. This loss of algae, which help provide color and energy, leaves the corals white. Elevated water temperatures are a common trigger for this process.
If users are unfamiliar with coral bleaching, we have a page that introduces the topic. The leading cause is climate change — a warming ocean, and a change in water temperature of as little as 2°F, can cause coral to drive out algae.
The map artistically clusters images of the most bleached corals, positioned to represent their respective Pacific Ocean jurisdictions. Hovering over an image reveals the year of peak bleaching and the genus of the affected coral.
Clicking an image allows for deeper exploration of that coral genus. An interactive slider lets users transition between colored and monochrome images, creating a dramatic visual impact intended to inspire environmental action.
American Samoa, part of NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary system, is seeing coral bleaching decline — a promising sign of resilience being studied by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.