Final answer:
Coral reefs can be analyzed to determine past and present climate of the oceans through paleoceanography. The work of Vevers and the NOAA Coral Reef Watch helps predict episodes of coral bleaching by utilizing satellite and monitoring data. The phase of El Nino-Southern Oscillation can also help predict bleaching events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Coral reefs can be analyzed to determine past and present climate of the oceans through a process called paleoceanography. This involves studying the growth patterns of corals, which can act as natural recorders of past climate conditions. Scientists can analyze the chemical composition of coral skeletons, such as stable isotopes, to reconstruct information about temperature, ocean currents, and other environmental factors.
The work of Vevers and the NOAA Coral Reef Watch helps predict episodes of coral bleaching by utilizing data from satellites and underwater monitoring systems. They use information on ocean temperatures, water clarity, and other factors to identify areas at risk of coral bleaching. The phase of El Nino-Southern Oscillation, which is a climate pattern characterized by warm and cold phases in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, can also help predict where bleaching events are likely to occur.