 | 00 subject location grid
Click on a thumbnail image and follow the description to use this aerial photograph grid to find the approximate location of each picture in this section . This portion of the site is under construction.
|  | 01 August 12, 1993
In 1993 this reef had been hurricane free for over two decades. The branching corals flourished creating one of the most spectacular palamata zones in the Caribbean. However the emergence of coral loss from snail grazing or disease is evident in select areas. Wide spread coral disease has not affected this reef yet.
|  | 02 March 12 1995
The over all health of the elkhorn coral is good however there are areas of recent coral loss and entanglement from shipping straps.
|  | 03 February 1 1996
Storm damage and fragmentation is observed. Typical of the cold winter months the corals color appears slightly stressed.
|  | 04 September 1996
Discovery of white pox. These images were forwarded to Dr. James Porter who consequently named the disease and credited himself with the discovery.
|  | 05 February 16, 1997
An enormous amount of rubble has been moved into the palmata zone. These images illistrate the impacts that storms have on the shallow areas of the reef.
|  | 06 May 30, 1997
White-pox begins to destroy the elkhorn coral. A survey on the north side of the reef reveals a major algal bloom underway. Good close up images of white pox.
|  | 07 August 3, 1997
Coral loss is noticeable in the western portion of the palmata zone. An algae bloom is in progress covering areas of recently lost coral tissue. A crisis exists on this reef prior to the upcoming bleaching event.
|  | 08 February 2, 1998
These are some of the most unusual photographs of Elkhorn Coral ever taken. Rock Key reef near Key West. Feb. 2, 1998.
|  | 09 February 12, 1998
A major gale smashes into the reef causing a tremendous amount of coral damage. Very good storm damage photographs.
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 | 10 May 4, 1998
In the aftermath of storms Elkhorn coral colonies exhibit signs of stress and often have rubble pelting scars. Snails also get washed on the coral and predation scars appear. These scars are often mistaken for white coral disease.
|  | 11 October 13 1998
Shortly after Hurricane George's Craig Quirolo monitors the reef. Many of the coral colonies that were not damaged by the hurricane had been killed earlier by pollution and algal overgrowth. Chances for coral recovery on this reef are slim until the pollution factor is addressed.
|  | 12 October 14, 1998
Aftermath of hurricane Georges.
|  | 13 January 20, 1999
Hurricane Georges was the 'straw that broke this corals back'.
|  | 14 May 15, 2002
Grounding across grids 12 13 14 21
|  | 15 November 5, 2002
Recovery is in progress. South Florida Water Management has reduced the flow of nutrient laden water into Florida Bay resulting in new coral growth on these reefs.
|  | 16.0 July 26 2003 |  | 16 July 28, 2003
A turtle encounter on Rock Key reef. The coral appears to be in stable condition however, there are unusual color patterns on some of the Elkhorn Corals.
|  | 17 April 1, 2005
This reef should be allowed to regenerate without visitation by divers or snorkelers. The mooring buoys should be removed and the reef classified as off limits. Continued weak management of this reef will lead to it's complete demise within a matter of years.
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