The Caribbean is facing a large-scale heatwave that has been affecting most of the region for several months. The prolonged heat stress of these areas can have a critical impact on the reefs in this region. As you can see in the images and the interactive map, most of this area has been exposed to several months of heat stress measured by DHW (Degree Heating Weeks), and most of the sites are experiencing a temperature anomaly of around +1.5 to +2.5 degrees Celsius. 

Corals can begin to experience stress and bleach when sea surface temperatures (SST) reach the bleaching threshold rise of 1°C above the Maximum Monthly Mean (MMM), which is the highest summertime mean temperature. The DHW indicates the accumulated heat stress in an area over the past weeks. It sums the Coral Bleaching HotSpot values from the last weeks whenever SST reaches or exceeds the bleaching threshold (NOAA Coral Reef Watch, n.d.-a). When corals bleach, they become vulnerable and are more likely to be infected with diseases. If they are bleached for too long, they will eventually die. (NOAA Coral Reef Watch, n.d-b). 

The interactive map shows all the sites monitored in this region using Aqualink. The colours in the ocean display the accumulated heat stress that the ocean is experiencing in that location (see the DHW scale at the bottom). Each dashboard receives temperature data from NOAA satellites. The sites with a hexagon icon have additional temperature data gathered by Sofar Smart Mooring buoys.  

In the center of this heatwave, we can find the site Channel Rock, which is monitored and surveyed by The Nature Conservancy. This site has had severe heat stress since June.