Mapping the World’s Corals Reveals More Reefs Than Previously Known
High-resolution satellite maps show that coral reefs cover an area of ocean larger than New Mexico.
Shallow coral reefs cover about 348,000 square kilometers (or about 134,000 square miles) of the globe’s surface — an area larger than the state of New Mexico.
Photographer: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty ImagesThe total area of the planet that is covered in coral reefs is larger than previously thought, according to the most comprehensive high-resolution assessment of the world’s corals to date.
Shallow coral reefs cover about 348,000 square kilometers (or about 134,000 square miles) of the globe’s surface — an area larger than the state of New Mexico. The results from new University of Queensland-led research compare to previous estimates ranging from roughly 154,000 to 301,000 square kilometers.