Coral Cores
Corals growing near the ocean surface provide year-by-year records of tropical climates extending back over the past few centuries. As with trees, the living tissue is found only on the uppermost layer and it leaves annual growth bands. The relative thickness of the bands depends on ocean temperature and salinity. Warmer water leads to rapid growth and wide, porous layers; cooler water leaves denser layers. However, when the water becomes too warm, the coral can die (coral bleaching) or the growth can be greatly diminished. Chemical ratios within the coral can also be used to estimate past climate because ocean temperature affects a coral’s chemistry.
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Coral Cores
Corals growing near the ocean surface provide year-by-year records of tropical climates extending back over the past few centuries. As with trees, the living tissue is found only on the uppermost layer and it leaves annual growth bands. |
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