Lauren Sommer

O ne of the most pristine coral reefs in the world is in the center of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from any continent, in the jewel-like waters around a tiny atoll.

A record-breaking El Nino is set to peak in a few months, but climate scientists say a key chance to study it is being missed. During the last strong El Nino, NOAA launched a comprehensive campaign to measure and observe it in the Pacific Ocean. The data improves forecasts for extreme weather, helping communities prepare for flooding. This El Nino, NOAA says it won't be able to do the same. NOAA's research capacity has been under fire. The Trump administration is proposing to eliminate the agency's research division and as a whole, the agency has lost more than 2,000 staff.

A powerful El Niño is already influencing extreme weather around the planet. During the last strong El Niño, federal agencies ramped up research in the hope of improving weather forecasts. This year, they won't be matching that effort.

Federal forecasters say this year the planet could see the strongest El Niño event on record. It's already being called "Super El Niño" and even "Godzilla El Niño."

The Atlantic season's first hurricane, Isaias, is spinning up in the Gulf of Mexico. Even as El Niño limited this year's Atlantic storms, climate change is making hurricanes more intense.

The Atlantic season's first hurricane, Isaias, is spinning up in the Gulf of Mexico. Even as El Niño limited this year's Atlantic storms, climate change is making hurricanes more intense.

The remote Pacific Ocean has some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world. The corals themselves are bigger than cars, their delicate arms creating a dense underwater maze.

At Palmyra Atoll in the remote Pacific Ocean, wildlife refuge manager Paige Mino observes red-footed boobies. Scientists have found a surprising link between the seabirds and the health of the surrounding ocean.

Coral reefs are facing increasing threats around the globe. But on a remote Pacific island, scientists have found that reefs can get help from a surprising ally: seabirds.

Some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world are in the Pacific Ocean. One of the secrets to their success comes from something unexpected: seabirds.