New research from Indonesia reveals that corals flourished during warmer ocean conditions in the past.
About 10,000 to 6,000 years ago, when seas were warmer than today, coral growth rates averaged a rapid 6 mm per year. This period coincided with rising sea levels, which peaked 2 meters higher than present, providing ample space for reef expansion.
Study link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/09596836251313628