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.
Backside view - February 18, 2012 - 18 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.
Left side view - June 14, 2012, 2012 22 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)