[Coral-List] NOAA Coral Reef Watch expands to 227 Virtual Stations, new Google Maps interface

[Mark Eakin]

NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) has just launched an improved and expanded Virtual Stations network,  expanding coverage to more major coral reef locations. Based on user requests from coral reef ecosystem managers, CRW added 36 new stations, bringing the total to 227 stations worldwide. Coverage was especially increased in Brazil, the Western Indian Ocean, and Micronesia. CRW also conducted quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of existing sites, renaming and repositioning specific experimental stations based on input provided by users. Satellite Bleaching Alert e-mails are available for all of the new stations.

Our thanks to many of you who have provided input on our virtual stations, including those who have provided data from local SST loggers.  Many changes in the locations of stations and other QA/QC have been the result of local input.  We will be continuing these improvements as we develop and implement higher resolution satellite products. 

CRW also implemented a brand-new Google Maps interface for the Virtual Stations network. This webpage will help users easily navigate CRW’s large network of stations, graphs, and data files: http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/vs/index.html

The new virtual stations are also available using our Google Earth packages: http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/ge/index.html

Be sure to sign up to request free bleaching alert e-mails for any of these sites.  Just send an email to coralreefwatch at noaa.gov to sign up for our Satellite Bleaching Alerts.

Cheers,
Mark
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C. Mark Eakin, Ph.D.
Coordinator, NOAA Coral Reef Watch
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Center for Satellite Applications and Research
Satellite Oceanography & Climate Division
e-mail: mark.eakin at noaa.gov
url: coralreefwatch.noaa.gov

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"A world without coral reefs is unimaginable." 
Dr. Jane Lubchenco, March 25 2010