I went to my favourite local bookshop last week (River Read) looking to be entertained and distracted. I settled on an historical romance. I chose ‘The Burning Island’ by Jock Serong, published just last September. After reading the back cover … [Read more...] about Tarenorerer, Another Warrior
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Measuring Old Corals & Coral Reefs (Part 2)
Late last year, I went on an expedition in search of a type of very old coral known as massive Porites. Stuart, Shaun and I dived five very different coral reefs between Cairns and Townsville. The first was an inshore fringing coral reef to the … [Read more...] about Measuring Old Corals & Coral Reefs (Part 2)
Best wishes, for the New Year
I received the most delightful Christmas present: a poetry book published 7 years ago by Christian Bartholomew Wright. I am not usually big on possessions — but books: I hoard them. A problem is that my whole life I have moved every so many … [Read more...] about Best wishes, for the New Year
Reef Heresy? And the Importance of Asking Questions
I am so privileged to have written the introduction to Peter Ridd’s new book, ‘Reef Heresy?’. In it I explain that it is of great concern to both Peter, and myself, that those who claim the Great Barrier Reef to be in terminal decline are so … [Read more...] about Reef Heresy? And the Importance of Asking Questions
Gardens of Old Porites, Without Sharks
It is often reported that the Great Barrier Reef is half dead, specifically that the corals are bleached, and the water quality is degraded with pesticides and plastics. If I didn’t know better, I might never want to visit a coral reef, lest I be … [Read more...] about Gardens of Old Porites, Without Sharks
Measuring Old Corals & Coral Reefs (Part 1)
Fundamental to science is measurement. It is a way of objectively assessing something, anything, even the state of a coral reef, even of an individual coral. Historically coral growth rates were measured by coring the really old massive Porites. … [Read more...] about Measuring Old Corals & Coral Reefs (Part 1)
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.