Coral Reefs | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/coral-reefs/RSS feed for Coral ReefsenMon, 26 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000Most of the World's Shallow-Water Coral Reefs Have Been Deemed Critically Endangered, Meaning They Could Collapse Within 50 Yearshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/most-of-the-worlds-shallow-water-coral-reefs-have-been-deemed-critically-endangered-meaning-they-could-collapse-within-50-years-180989748/The first-ever global assessment of these vibrant underwater ecosystems paints a grim picture: Climate change projections put 96 percent of shallow-water reefs at the highest level of threatMon, 26 Oct 2026 16:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/most-of-the-worlds-shallow-water-coral-reefs-have-been-deemed-critically-endangered-meaning-they-could-collapse-within-50-years-180989748/Sick Corals Can Heal With the Help of a 'Magic Touch' From Healthy Ones, Offering Hope for Heat-Damaged Marine Ecosystemshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sick-corals-can-heal-with-the-help-of-a-magic-touch-from-healthy-ones-offering-hope-for-heat-damaged-marine-ecosystems-180989693/A coral is often a colony of tiny, genetically identical animals. New research suggests that when a bleached coral fragment comes into physical contact with a colorful, thriving clone, the pale one can revive within weeksTue, 20 Oct 2026 18:56:20 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sick-corals-can-heal-with-the-help-of-a-magic-touch-from-healthy-ones-offering-hope-for-heat-damaged-marine-ecosystems-180989693/These 15 Photos Showcase the Intensely Brilliant Colors of Coral Reefs and the Creatures That Live Among Themhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-15-photos-showcase-the-intensely-brilliant-colors-of-coral-reefs-and-the-creatures-that-live-among-them-180989691/These images from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest highlight the importance of the marine ecosystems and the many species they help sustainFri, 16 Oct 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-15-photos-showcase-the-intensely-brilliant-colors-of-coral-reefs-and-the-creatures-that-live-among-them-180989691/Meet Bubbles, a Dolphin in Australia Who Chases Fish Until They Barf—Then Eats Their Upchucked Mealshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-bubbles-a-dolphin-in-australia-that-chases-fish-until-they-barf-then-eats-their-upchucked-meals-180989547/Scientists recorded 11 instances of Bubbles successfully snacking this way. They mark some of the first detailed observations of kleptoparasitism, or food stealing, in cetaceans, the group of marine mammals that includes dolphins, whales and porpoisesWed, 23 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-bubbles-a-dolphin-in-australia-that-chases-fish-until-they-barf-then-eats-their-upchucked-meals-180989547/