Supplementary Table 1: Bleaching observations used to determine if there was a significant association between the strength of the high and low-frequency modes of SST variability in the past and bleaching severity during the 1998 bleaching event.

COUNTRY/REGION / LOCATION / LAT / LON / MONTH / YEAR / DEPTH / SEVERITY / SOURCE
Torres Strait & Great Barrier Reef / SE Pelorus, PalmIsland / -18.8 / 146 / 3 / 1998 / 2-8m / High / ReefBase: Marshall et al. (2000)
Australia / Scott Reef / -14.1 / 122 / 4 / 1998 / All depths / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Brazil / northern coast of BahiaState / -13.7 / -39 / 4 / 1998 / 9 to 12 m / High / ReefBase: Coral Listserver
Papua New Guinea / NormanbyIsland / -10.1 / 151 / 2 / 1998 / down to 20 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Papua New Guinea / CapeVogel / -9.7 / 150 / 2 / 1998 / down to 20 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Seychelles / Providence - Cerf / -9.54 / 51 / 4 / 1998 / 15 / Medium / ReefBase: Spencer et al. (2000)
Seychelles / Aldabra Atoll / -9.45 / 46.4 / 4 / 1998 / 15 / Medium / ReefBase: Spencer et al. (2000)
Seychelles / Aldabra / -9.42 / 46.4 / 5 / 1998 / 23 / High / ReefBase
Seychelles / North West Coast St.Pierre / -9.31 / 50.7 / 2 / 1998 / 3-30m / High / ReefBase: M. Spalding unpublished data
Seychelles / St. Pierre windward coast / -9.21 / 51 / 4 / 1998 / 15 / High / ReefBase: Spencer et al. (2000)
Papua New Guinea / Tufi / -9.08 / 149 / 2 / 1998 / down to 20 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Seychelles / Providence Group / -9 / 47 / 4 / 1998 / down to 23 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Seychelles / Alphonse Atoll / -7.01 / 52.7 / 4 / 1998 / 15 / High / ReefBase: Spencer et al. (2000)
Seychelles / CousineIsland / -4.35 / 55.7 / 2 / 1998 / 4-10m / High / ReefBase: M. Spalding unpublished data
Kenya / Kenya / -3.37 / 40.5 / 3 / 1998 / 2 to 20 / High / ReefBase
Ecuador / Espanola, Galapagos / -1.34 / -90 / 3 / 1998 / 10 to 30 / High / ReefBase: NOAA Coral Health and Monitoring Program (CHAMP)
Ecuador / AcademyBay, Santa Cruz Island / -0.89 / -90 / 3 / 1998 / 1.5m / High / ReefBase: Feingold (2001)
Ecuador / Puta Espejo, MarchenaIsland / 0.503 / -90 / 3 / 1998 / 7m / High / ReefBase: Feingold (2001)
Singapore / 1.352 / 104 / 6 / 1998 / all depths / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Southeast Asia / MangoBeach, PulauTiomanMarinePark / 2.814 / 104 / 5 / 1998 / 1-3m / Low / ReefBase: Kushairi (1998)
Colombia / Yundigua, GorgonaIsland / 3 / -78 / 5 / 1998 / 1-4m / Medium / ReefBase: Vargas-Angel et al. (2001)
Maldives / Thuvaru, Mulakatholu Atoll / 3 / 73.5 / 5 / 1998 / 3-10m / High / ReefBase: Edwards et al. (2001)
Maldives / Artificial Reef Structure 2.4km NW of the capital Male / 4.167 / 73.5 / 5 / 1998 / 0.8-1.5m / High / ReefBase: Edwards et al. (2001)
Sabah, Malaysia / Pulau Baik / 4.95 / 118 / 5 / 1998 / down to 15 m / Low / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Sabah, Malaysia / Pulau Sakar / 4.962 / 118 / 5 / 1998 / down to 20m / Medium / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Maldives / Maduvvari, Mulakatholu Atoll / 5.017 / 72.9 / 5 / 1998 / 3-10m / High / ReefBase: Edwards et al. (2001)
Peninsular / Pulau Pinang, PulauRedangMarinePark / 5.744 / 103 / 5 / 1998 / 2-5m / Low / ReefBase: Kushairi (1998)
Malaysia / GayaIsland ( Pulau Gaya ) / 6.017 / 116 / 5 / 1998 / 1 to 2 / Low / ReefBase
Malaysia / Pulau Gaya, Sabah / 6.036 / 116 / 5 / 1998 / 1 to 2 m / Medium / ReefBase: Coral Listserver
Federated States of Micronesia / Pohnpei / 6.976 / 158 / 9 / 1998 / 2-10m / No / Personal observation
Republic of the Marshall Islands / Majuro (RMI) / 7.062 / 171 / 9 / 1998 / 2-8m / Low / Personal observation
Palau / Palau / 7.214 / 134 / 9 / 1998 / 50ft / High / ReefBase: Coral Listserver
Federated States of Micronesia / Chuuk / 7.404 / 152 / 9 / 1998 / 3-4 m / No / Personal observation
Vietnam / Con Dao / 8.711 / 107 / 10 / 1998 / 15 / High / ReefBase: NOAA database
Federated States of Micronesia / Yap / 9.517 / 138 / 9 / 1998 / 20 / Low / ReefBase
Federated States of Micronesia / Yap / 9.598 / 138 / 9 / 1998 / 1-20 m / Medium / Personal observation
Netherlands Antilles (Leeward) / Oostpunt / 12.02 / -69 / 8 / 1998 / 10 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Curacao-1998-08
Netherlands Antilles / Bonaire / 12.08 / -68 / 9 / 1998 / 25-100ft / Medium / ReefBase: NOAA database
Netherlands Antilles / Bonaire / 12.16 / -68 / 8 / 1998 / 10-20 m and > 20 m / Low to Medium / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Netherlands Antilles / Bonaire / 12.18 / -68 / 8 / 1998 / 8 to 30 / Low / ReefBase
Netherlands Antilles (Leeward) / Lagun / 12.32 / -69 / 8 / 1998 / 10 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Curacao-1998-08
Mariana Islands / Guam / 13.57 / 145 / 9 / 1998 / 2-6 m / Low / Personal observation
Northern Mariana Islands / Saipan / 15.25 / 146 / 9 / 1998 / 3-10m / Low / Personal observation
Belize / RanguanaPass / 16.21 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 8 / High / ReefBase: Coral Listserver
Honduras / Roatan / 16.32 / -87 / 9 / 1998 / 10-25 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Honduras / RoatanIsland / 16.33 / -86 / 9 / 1998 / 10 to 25 / Medium / ReefBase
Belize / Crawl Caye / 16.62 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 10ft / Medium / ReefBase: Coral Listserver
Belize / Glovers Reef / 16.8 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 12 to 15 / High / ReefBase
Belize / Calabash Caye / 17.28 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 14-18 m / Medium / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Belize / Lighthouse Reef / 17.3 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 8 / High / ReefBase
Belize / Gallows Point / 17.48 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 14-18 / Medium / ReefBase
Puerto Rico / Enrique Reef (Cayo Enrique ) / 17.95 / -67 / 9 / 1998 / 18m / Low / ReefBase
Mexico / Xcalak / 18.27 / -88 / 9 / 1998 / 15-20ft / High / ReefBase: NOAA hotspot
Cayman Islands / Grand Cayman / 19.32 / -81 / 9 / 1998 / 1 to 5 / High / ReefBase
Mexico / Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve / 19.5 / -87 / 9 / 1998 / 15-20ft / High / ReefBase: NOAA hotspot
Taiwan / Posunotao or LanyuIsland / 22.04 / 122 / 8 / 1998 / down to 20 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Taiwan / PenghuIslands / 23.56 / 120 / 6 / 1998 / 1-5 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Bahamas / Oasis - 10m / 23.95 / -77 / 8 / 1998 / 5.9 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Bahamas / FrenchBay #2 / 23.95 / -75 / 6 / 1998 / 5.2 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch SanSalvador-1998-06
Bahamas / Telephone Pole Reef / 24.03 / -75 / 6 / 1998 / 14.3 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch SanSalvador-1998-06
Bahamas / Snapshot Reef / 24.04 / -75 / 6 / 1998 / 13.3 / Low / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch SanSalvador-1998-06
Bahamas / LongBay Cay - 3m / 24.1 / -78 / 8 / 1998 / 1.1 / High / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Bahamas / AUTEC 2 South - 10m / 24.48 / -78 / 8 / 1998 / 10.6 / No Bleaching / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Florida (USA) / Western Sambos / 24.55 / -82 / 8 / 1998 / 10.668 / Medium / ReefBase
Florida (USA) / Dry TortugasNational Park / 24.63 / -83 / 9 / 1998 / 10-30 m / Medium / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Florida (USA) / Coffins Patch Light / 24.68 / -81 / 8 / 1998 / 6-7m / Low / ReefBase: NOAA database
Bahamas / South Staniard - 10m / 24.84 / -78 / 8 / 1998 / 8.9 / Low / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Bahamas / South Standiard - 3m / 24.84 / -78 / 8 / 1998 / 0.6 / Medium / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Bahamas / Mahore - 3m / 25.06 / -78 / 8 / 1998 / 1 / Medium / ReefBase: AGRRA data; Batch Andros-1998-08
Bahamas / New ProvidenceIsland / 25.09 / -77 / 8 / 1998 / 15-20 / High / ReefBase: C. Wilkinson
Bahrain / Fasht Adham / 26.03 / 50.7 / 8 / 1998 / < 10 m / High / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Japan / CapeMaeda, Okinawa / 26.44 / 128 / 9 / 1998 / to 10 / High / ReefBase: M. Takata
Japan / Maeda Point, Central Okinawa / 26.45 / 128 / 10 / 1998 / down to 35m / Medium / ReefBase: Yamazato (1999)
Bermuda / Lagoon / 32.32 / -65 / 9 / 1998 / 2- 6 m / Medium / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Bermuda / Rim reefs and offshore terrace reefs / 32.38 / -65 / 9 / 1998 / 8 m rim reefs and 15 m offshore terrace reefs / Low / Status of the Coral Reefs report
Japan / ShikokuIsland / 33.56 / 133 / 9 / 1998 / Down to 30 m / No / Status of the Coral Reefs report

Edwards, A.J., Clark, S., Zahir, H., Rajasuriya, A., Naseer, A., & Rubens, J. 2001. Coral Bleaching and Mortality on Artificial and Natural Reefs in Maldives in 1998, Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies and Initial Recovery. Mar. Poll. Bull.42(1):7-20.

Feingold,J.S. 2001. Responses of three coral communities to the 1997-98 El Nino-Southern Oscillation: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Bull. Mar. Sci.69(1): 61-77

Kushairi, M.R.M., 1998. The 1998 bleaching catastrophe of corals in the South China Sea. Proceedings of the JSPS Joint Seminar on Marine and Fisheries Sciences, Bali, Indonesia. 7-9 December, 1998.

Marshall, P.A. and A.H. Baird, 2000. Bleaching of corals on the Great Barrier Reef: differential susceptibilities among taxa. Coral Reefs19(2):155-163

Mitsuaki Takata

NOAA hotspot:

Spencer, T., Teleki, K.A., Bradshaw, C. & Spalding, M.D. 2000. Coral Bleaching in the Southern Seychelles during the 1997-1998 Indian Ocean Warm Event. Mar. Poll. Bull. 40(7): 569-586

Vargas-Angel, B., Zapata, F.A., Hernandez, H. & Jimenez, J.M. 2001. Coral and coral reef responses to the 1997-98 El Nino event on the Pacific coast of Colombia. Bull. Mar. Sci.69(1):111-132

Yamazato, K.1999. Coral bleaching in Okinawa, 1980 vs 1998. Galaxea1:83-87

Wilkinson, Clive.

Supplementary Table 2: Bleaching observations used to determine if there was a significant association between the strength of the high and low-frequency modes of SST variability in the past and bleaching severity during the 2005-2006 bleaching event.

COUNTRY/REGION / LOCATION / LAT / LON / MONTH / YEAR / DEPTH / SEVERITY / SOURCE
Australia / One TreeIsland, Far Southern Great Barrier Reef / -23.49 / 152.09 / 3 / 2006 / 5-6m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / WreckIsland, Far Southern Great Barrier Reef / -23.32 / 151.98 / 3 / 2006 / 5-6 m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson and G. Goby
Australia / Chinaman Reef, Far Southern Great Barrier Reef / -22 / 152.67 / 3 / 2006 / 5-6m / Medium / ReefBase: J. Davidson and G. Goby
Australia / Chinaman Reef, Far Southern Great Barrier Reef / -22 / 152.67 / 3 / 2006 / 2-3m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson and G. Goby
Australia / Gannet Cay, Far Southern Great Barrier Reef / -21.98 / 152.48 / 3 / 2006 / 2-3m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson and G. Goby
Australia / North of Dampier Cargo Wharf, Eastern Shore, Mermaid Sound, Western Australia / -20.609 / 116.757 / 5 / 2005 / 1-3m. / Medium / ReefBase: C.C. Cheffers
Australia / Holden Pt. Southeastern Shore, Mermaid Sound, Western Australia / -20.605 / 116.758 / 5 / 2005 / 1-5m. / Low / ReefBase: C.C. Cheffers
Australia / BorderIsland, Southern Great Barrier Reef / -20.18 / 149.03 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / LangfordIsland, Southern Great Barrier Reef / -20.08 / 148.88 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / 19138, Southern Great Barrier Reef / -19.81 / 149.43 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / John Brewer Reef, Central Great Barrier Reef / -18.62 / 147.08 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / Rib Reef Reef, Central Great Barrier Reef / -18.47 / 146.88 / 3 / 2006 / 2-3m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / Rib Reef Reef, Central Great Barrier Reef / -18.47 / 146.88 / 3 / 2006 / 5-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Mauritius / Rodrigues (Republic of Mauritius) / -16.743 / 63.397 / 3 / 2005 / 1-3 m / High / ReefBase: E. Hardman(Coral Listserver)
Fiji / YasawaIslands / -16.73 / 177.55 / 2 / 2005 / Exposed reef flats down to depths of around 10m. / High / ReefBase: R. Vave (Coral Listserver)
Australia / Michaelmas Reef, North Great Barrier Reef / -16.55 / 146.05 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / Opal Reef, North Great Barrier Reef / -16.21 / 145.91 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / St Crispins Reef, North Great Barrier Reef / -16.07 / 145.85 / 3 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / Decapolis Reef, Far Northern Great Barrier Reef / -14.85 / 145.27 / 4 / 2006 / 2-6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / Linnet Reef, Far Northern Great Barrier Reef / -14.79 / 145.35 / 4 / 2006 / 2-3m / Low / ReefBase: J. Davidson & G. Goby
Australia / CapeArhnem / -12.317 / 136.933 / 3 / 2005 / 0.5-2m / Low / ReefBase: V. Gomelyuk (Coral Listserver)
Chagos Archipelago (UK) / Egmont Atoll / -7 / 71 / 4 / 2005 / 2m to 5m / High / ReefBase: M. Spalding
Marshall Islands / Majuro atoll / 7.096 / 171.164 / 10 / 2006 / 2-4 m / Low / ReefBase: D. Jacobson (Coral Listserver)
Sri Lanka / Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary / 8.409 / 79.752 / 3 / 2005 / 1-2m / Low / ReefBase: Rajasuriya (2005)
Colombia / Isla de San Andrés(Caribbean Sea) / 12.466 / -81.65 / 9 / 2005 / 0-30 m / Low / ReefBase: A. Rodríguez Ramírez, C. Reyes, G.R. Navas, C. Orozco
St. Lucia / Anse Chastanet Reef / 13.51 / -61.4 / 6 / 2005 / 0 - 42 meters / High / ReefBase: K. Wulf
Philippines / PolilloIslands / 14.861 / 122.223 / 7 / 2005 / 1 - 3 m / High / ReefBase: P. Boisvert
Jamaica / Kingston, Lime Cay (The SouthCoast) / 17.93 / -79.807 / 9 / 2005 / 10-30 ft / Medium / ReefBase: I. Kenny (Coral Listserver)
Puerto Rico / PalominitosIsland / 18.349 / -65.577 / 8 / 2005 / 5 to 22m / Low / ReefBase: E. Hernandez (Coral Listserver)
Virgin Islands (British) / HansCreek, BeefIsland / 18.433 / -64.517 / 9 / 2005 / 10-25ft / High / ReefBase: S. Gore
Mexico / DolphinBay *, Mahahual / 18.6345 / -87.722 / 8 / 2005 / 4.75m / Medium / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / Paytocal, Mahahual / 18.6345 / -87.722 / 8 / 2005 / 4m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / Piratas del Caribe, Mahahual / 18.6345 / -87.722 / 8 / 2005 / 4.85m / Low / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / Piratas del Caribe, Mahahual / 18.6672 / -87.717 / 8 / 2005 / 5.25m / High / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Cuba / Cabo Cruz (National Park Desembarco del Granma, Province Granma, SE Cuba) / 19.8307 / -77.735 / 10 / 2005 / 1-3m / High / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Mexico / Punta San Juan, Pez Maya, Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka'an / 19.8833 / -87.426 / 2 / 2005 / 6.6m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / Punta San Juan, Pez Maya, Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka'an / 19.934 / -87.434 / 8 / 2005 / 10.35m / High / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / San Miguel de Ruiz, Pez Maya, Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka'an / 19.967 / -87.461 / 8 / 2005 / 2.85m / Low / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Mexico / San Miguel de Ruiz, Pez Maya, Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka'an / 19.967 / -87.461 / 9 / 2005 / 2.25m / Medium / ReefBase: D. Ponce-Taylor
Cuba / Cayo Anclitas (Jardines de la Reina Archipelago) / 20.817 / -78.972 / 9 / 2005 / 1-12m / Low / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Cuba / Cayo Largo (SW Cuba) / 21.583 / -81.633 / 8 / 2005 / Reef crests to 27 m / Medium / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Cuba / María La Gorda / 21.785 / -84.5 / 8 / 2005 / Reef crests to 27 m / No Bleaching / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Cuba / María La Gorda (West end of Cuba) / 21.799 / -84.522 / 9 / 2005 / 18-25m / Low / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Cuba / Punta Perdiz (Bahía de Cochinos) / 22.114 / -81.118 / 9 / 2005 / 5-25m / Medium / ReefBase: P.M. Alcolado
Bahamas / Southeast Barracuda Rocks, Great Bahama Bank (Exuma region) / 23.6726 / -76.202 / 8 / 2005 / 2-4m / High / ReefBase: J. HendeeK.L. Buch (Coral Listserver)
Bahamas / NOAA CREWS Station CMRC3 (near North Normans Pond Cay patch reef), Exuma Cays / 23.7907 / -76.139 / 9 / 2005 / 7m / Low / ReefBase: J. Hendee K.L. Buch (Coral Listserver)
United States / West Flower Garden Banks, northwestern Gulf of Mexico / 27.883 / -93.822 / 3 / 2006 / approx. 21.3-23.5m / Low / ReefBase: E. Hickerson, A. Bruckner, E. Borneman, B. Jonas, G. Cook, & B. Zimmer (Coral Listserver)
Bermuda / Northern rim and forereef of Bermuda / 32.467 / -64.795 / 8 / 2005 / 12-45 ft / Low / ReefBase: T. Murdoch (Coral Listserver)
Virgin Islands (British) / West Dog / 46.667 / -37.45 / 9 / 2005 / 10-25ft / No Bleaching / ReefBase: S. Gore

Rajasuriya, A. 2005. Coral Bleaching in the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary Observed on 26th March 2005 Sri Lanka. CORDIO online document