[Coral-List] Indian Ocean 2005 Bleaching Events
Alan E Strong
Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov
Wed May 18 16:26:44 UTC 2005
Coral-listers,
I have lost who it was that first noted this might be an exceptionally
warm year for the Indian Ocean with potentially some significant
bleaching....well....it appears this was a good forecast!! Someone
should get a gold star!!
Now that the warm water event, that spanned the months from first 4
months of 2005, appears to have weakened with the sun moving into the
northern hemisphere, we have noted at Coral Reef Watch that
accumulations of stress (Degree Heating Weeks - DHWs) were indeed near
record level during that time. The following links let you quickly
recall the most recent DHW (Feb-Mar-Apr) for 2005
http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/SST/data2/dhwe.4.30.2005.gif
and compare it with the previous (and still record) 1998 event.
http://www.osdpd.noaa.gov/PSB/EPS/icg/ehet.s21998.e41998.gif
All the reports we have accumulated certainly verify what the SSTs have
been telling us....thats to those who have submitted this valuable
on-sight information.
Cheers,
Al Strong
Coral Reef Watch
**** <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< ******* <>< *******
Alan E. Strong
Branch Chief, Marine Ecosystem and Climate Branch (MECB)
Coral Reef Watch Project Coordinator
Phys Scientist/Oceanographer
NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/SO -- E/RA3 {formerly NOAA/NESDIS/ORA/ORAD}
NOAA Science Center -- RM 601
5200 Auth Road
Camp Springs, MD 20746-4304
Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov
301-763-8102 x170 [Tues-Thurs]
301-713-2857 x108 [Mon & Fri]
(SSMC1 - RM 5304; Silver Spring, MD)
FAX: 301-763-8572
http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/
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