A new study from the ARC Center of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies (CoECRS) shows that large numbers of coral larvae replenished the reefs within nine months of the cyclone. The findings, published in PLoS ONE, provide fresh hope for the ability of the world’s coral reefs to recover from destructive storms.

Cyclone Yasi all but obliterated the corals on exposed reefs when its 32-foot waves and 177 mph winds hit Queensland’s Palm Islands, according to Dr Vimoksalehi Lukoschek of CoECRS and James Cook University.

Lukoschek and colleagues have dived on the devastated region over the last two years, studying the extent of the damage and the potential for recovery.