Scientists in the United States are reporting “unprecedented patterns” of surface warming, an ominous sign for coral.

© Jorge Silva/Reuters

Divers and marine biologists are getting a window into the lives of a red crustacean most often found in the guts of other species.

The low water levels that choked cargo traffic were more closely tied to the natural climate cycle than to human-caused warming, a team of scientists has concluded.

© Nathalia Angarita for The New York Times

The disaster, intensified by El Niño, is devastating communities across several countries, killing crops and livestock and sending food prices soaring.

© Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated Press

Rising sea temperatures around the planet have caused a bleaching event that is expected to be the most extensive on record.

© Renata Ferrari/AIMS, via Reuters

There have been record temperatures every day for more than a year. Scientists are investigating what’s behind the extraordinary measurements.