Discovering Climate History in Coral Skeletons

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Discovering Climate History in Coral Skeletons

This is part of the Seaside Chats speaker series hosted by Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Presenter(s): Kristine DeLong, Associate Professor, Louisiana State University

Sponsor(s):  Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Seminar Contact: Kelly Drinnen, kelly.drinnen@noaa.gov

Remote Access: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8988949979412762636

Abstract: The skeletons of massive corals grow in layers, similar to tree rings, that can be counted to determine the years of growth. Scientists can look at the chemistry of each of these layers to see what the water temperature was when that part of the coral skeleton was growing, as well as other indicators of environmental conditions. By stringing together these yearly skeletal records, scientists can chronicle how the ocean and the coral reef have changed over time.

Bio(s): Kristine DeLong is a paleoclimatologist in the Department of Geology and Anthropology at Louisiana State University, where she specializes in tropical and sub-tropical climate reconstructions along the Gulf coast and in the Caribbean.

Slides, Recordings, Other Materials:  A captioned recording of this presentation will be available from the Flower Garden Banks NMS website several weeks after the event. 

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{Kristine DeLong, Associate Professor, Louisiana State University}