2023–2025 global coral bleaching event
Widespread coral bleaching in the Florida Keys archipelago during July 2023 | |
| Date | February 2023 — ongoing |
|---|---|
| Location | Worldwide |
| Also known as | Fourth Global Coral Bleaching Event |
| Type | Mass coral bleaching event |
| Cause | Elevated ocean temperatures exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change |
| Outcome | About 84% of global coral reef ecosystems impacted |
The 2023–2025 global coral bleaching event is an ongoing environmental disaster that represents the most extensive coral bleaching incident in recorded history, affecting approximately 84% of the Earth's coral reef ecosystems. Announced by the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in April 2025, the event was the fourth global bleaching event officially documented, and surpassed the previous 2014–17 event, which impacted roughly two-thirds of global reefs. Coral reefs in the territories of at least eighty-two nations suffered enough thermal stress to undergo bleaching.
The ongoing event, which began in February 2023, has been primarily attributed to escalating ocean temperatures associated with anthropogenic climate change, with marine researchers stating that there was no clear indication of when it might conclude.