Articles on Crown of Thorns

August 10, 2026

Reef relief: how a late summer monsoon helped cool the Great Barrier Reef at just the right time

Jessica Benthuysen, Australian Institute of Marine Science; Daniela Ceccarelli, Australian Institute of Marine Science, and Mike Emslie, Australian Institute of Marine Science

Scientists have been monitoring the reef’s health for the past 40 years.

December 6, 2024

Emily Guerry, University of Oxford

The ceremony staged for the crown’s return takes its inspiration from a famous parade that marked the initial arrival of the object.

April 18, 2019

Emily Guerry, University of Kent

One of the most sacred relics in the Christian world was saved from the Notre Dame fire. Here is its history.

Emily Guerry
Tutor in Medieval History, University of Oxford
Mike Emslie
Senior Research Scientist in Reef Ecology, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Daniela Ceccarelli
Reef Fish Ecologist, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Jessica Benthuysen
Physical Oceanographer, Australian Institute of Marine Science