[Coral-List] Scientists Issue Second Coral Warning Due to HighCaribbean Sea Temperatures

[Mark Eakin]

The satellite data are warmer than normal.  That is the only way that  
the alert would be issued.

You can see the time series at: http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/ 
satellite/current/sst_series_usvirgin_cur.html

Cheers,
Mark

On Aug 24, 2006, at 6:06 AM, Julian Sprung wrote:

> Shouldn't it have read 3.36 degrees Fahrenheit COOLER than their  
> annual average high--?
>
> Sounds like its getting warm, but not abnormal for the middle of  
> August!
>
> Julian
>
>> ----------
>> From: 	coral-list-bounces at coral.aoml.noaa.gov on behalf of Jeremy  
>> Taylor
>> Sent: 	Wednesday, August 23, 2006 11:26 AM
>> To: 	caribbean-biodiversity at yahoogroups.com; carib-coral- 
>> reefs at yahoogroups.com; global-islands- 
>> biodiversity at yahoogroups.com;  
>> marine_biology_international at yahoogroups.com; Coral- 
>> List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> Subject: 	[Coral-List] Scientists Issue Second Coral Warning Due  
>> to HighCaribbean Sea Temperatures
>>
>> Scientists Issue Second Coral Warning Due to High Caribbean Sea  
>> Temperatures
>>
>> August 23, 2006 - By Mat Probasco, Associated Press
>> CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands - Scientists issued a  
>> warning Tuesday
>> that temperatures in the Caribbean Sea were abnormally high and  
>> approaching
>> levels that could be disastrous for coral reefs -- many of which  
>> suffered
>> unprecedented die-offs last year due to hot waters.
>>
>> Sea temperatures around Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands  
>> reached
>> about 83.66 degrees Fahrenheit (28.7 degrees Celsius) -- 3.36 degrees
>> Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) warmer than their annual average  
>> high,
>> which normally occurs in September or October, said Al Strong, a  
>> scientist
>> with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's  
>> Coral Reef
>> Watch.
>>
>> NOAA alerted scuba-dive operators and underwater researchers in  
>> the U.S.
>> Caribbean territories to look for coral damage and to be careful  
>> around the
>> reefs, which are easily damaged by physical contact, Strong told The
>> Associated Press in a telephone interview from Maryland. The  
>> agency issued a
>> warning that is in effect until the waters cool off.
>>
>> Researchers fear hot summer temperatures could be disastrous for  
>> reefs
>> recovering from widespread damage last year, when up to 40 percent  
>> of coral
>> died in abnormally warm seas around the U.S. Virgin Islands.  
>> Scientists have
>> not pinpointed what is behind the warm sea temperatures but some  
>> speculate
>> global warming might be the cause.
>>
>> Full story at http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=11116
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>> Coral-List at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
>> http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/mailman/listinfo/coral-list
>>
>>
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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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