Mud Suffocating Oahu’s Coral Reefs | Honolulu News

Mud from recent March storms has blanketed Oahu’s North Shore coral reefs in a suffocating layer, triggering widespread coral death as tissue can’t breathe under the sediment. Marine biologist Terry Lilley, who’s studied these reefs for two decades, reports unprecedented mud depths—even 50 feet down—threatening survival as El Niño heatwaves loom. While shallow reefs are being naturally cleaned by waves, deep-sea mud will linger until winter swells hit in October or November. Researchers, including Eyes of the Reef, are closely tracking the damage amid rising ocean temperatures, highlighting how climate stressors are accelerating reef collapse in this vital ecosystem. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/dfdb2556b717743f