Sub Aerial Exposure
Photo, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
During extreme weather events or low tides coral reefs can become exposed, this puts the corals under stress exposing them to a variety of different changes. This creates extreme stresses due to increased solar radiation, changes in temperature and possible changes in salinity due to a large and sudden influx of freshwater such as rainfall. All of these are factors that can lead to coral bleaching so the impact may be quick and intense.