Articles tagged with Coastlines
A new study found that most US cities are successfully limiting floodplain development by applying existing tools and strategies. In New Jersey, municipalities have consistently limited new housing in floodplains and impervious surface growth using conventional local ordinances and modest government capacity.
Researchers have captured sub-adult male northern elephant seals returning to a deep-sea cabled observatory off Canada's British Columbia coast. The footage provides new insight into their fish foraging behavior at depth.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired process to make marine sand more durable and resistant to erosion by applying a mild electric current. This natural cement reduces the need for expensive protection structures and provides a sustainable solution for strengthening global coastlines.
A UK-based study reveals that an offshore mussel farm is reviving shellfish reefs off the English south coast, a process previously unseen in 150 years. The research found mussels deposited on the seabed create habitats for commercially important species like European lobsters and brown crabs.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have discovered a new species of starfish off the coast of Japan, shedding light on the country's marine biodiversity. The newly named Paragonaster hoeimaruae is a distinctive red and beige color with five arms and spans over 10 centimeters.
A McGill-led study finds that swift action to lower emissions could prevent some of the most destructive impacts of climate change, particularly for coastal communities. The research suggests that reducing carbon emissions could reduce Antarctica's contribution to sea-level rise by up to 40%.
A joint international study found that tropical cyclones in Southeast Asia are forming closer to coastlines, intensifying rapidly, and lingering longer over land. This can lead to unprecedented threats from longer-lasting and more intense storms for tens of millions in coastal areas.
A new study has determined the vertical limits of the marine environment in the Southwest Atlantic, revealing that the mesophotic zone extends to a depth of between 15m and 18m. The research found distinct differences in fish diversity and species composition between the shallow and mesophotic zones.
A team of Lehigh University researchers led by Professor Muhannad Suleiman is working to develop floating offshore wind platforms that can harness both wind and wave energy. The goal is to create more efficient and resilient structures that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
A new study has found that tracking and disposing of whale remains offshore can have significant ecological benefits, including retaining nutrients within the marine ecosystem. The research used a 14m humpback whale as a test subject and successfully predicted its drift trajectory, allowing for more effective management of whale remains.
A study by Norwegian researchers reveals that around 758 kilotons of plastics enter the Norwegian market every year, while only 2.4% ends up in the environment. The country's high plastic consumption rates pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems, and efforts to reduce plastic waste are crucial.
Scientists at British Antarctic Survey have identified a new tipping point in Antarctic ice sheet melting due to ocean water intrusion. This process, currently not included in models, could lead to significant underestimates of sea level rise and accelerated ice sheet melting.
Researchers used simulations to model the erosion of Titan's shorelines, finding that waves are the most likely explanation for the moon's lakes and seas. The team found that wave activity could have shaped the coastlines of lakes and seas on Titan.
Researchers found that conventional benefit-cost analyses favor affluent communities, while an equity-weighted approach could reduce bias in hazard mitigation funding. This new method has the potential to improve resource allocation for socio-economically vulnerable areas.
A new study found giant Atlantic bluefin tuna are spending more time in higher latitudes as the region experiences ocean warming events. The fish are normally seasonal visitors to Ireland, but climate change may alter their migration routes.
A recent study improves earthquake and tsunami hazard assessment by revealing the Cascadia Subduction Zone's complex geometry. The zone is divided into four segments, each potentially insulated against movements, and has a megathrust fault that can trigger massive earthquakes and tsunamis.
Research in three Swedish fjords shows that organic carbon is effectively trapped, regardless of oxygen levels. The study highlights the importance of sediments in storing carbon, with up to 18 megatonnes buried annually, representing 11% of global ocean carbon capture.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have tracked the evolution of glaciers in East Antarctica using hundreds of old aerial photographs dating back to 1937. The study reveals that the ice has remained stable and grown slightly over almost a century, partly due to increasing snowfall.
The study identified two main reasons for the amplification of tsunamis: a lens effect due to shallow waters and wave refraction, as well as diffraction at capes and multiple reflections. These local conditions contributed to the high tsunamis in Iida Bay.
A LSU study found that chronic relative sea level rise combined with short-term weather-related shocks, such as droughts and hurricanes, led to the decline of Phragmites-dominated stands in the marsh. The study suggests elevating marsh beds with sediment can improve resilience.
A USC study finds that rising sea levels and urban development are accelerating coastal erosion in Southern California, with predicted costs tripling by 2050. Beach nourishment projects will become increasingly costly due to the global increase in sand prices.
Researchers confirm Atlantic cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) has made a novel migration to Bermuda, using citizen science and morphological/data analysis. The species likely resides in Bermuda for extended periods due to the islands' mild sea temperatures.
Research in the Alaskan-Aleutian subduction zone found evidence of splay fault uplift generating additional tsunami activity in half of last eight earthquakes. Splay faults can create local tsunamis reaching shores in under 30 minutes, exacerbating coastal destruction.
Researchers found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus around 14,257 to 13,182 years ago, suggesting the island was attractive for early human habitation. The rapid expansion of the population coincided with increased temperature, precipitation, and environmental productivity.
Scientists have discovered a previously unknown population of the Australian brook lamprey, an ancient and endangered species, in Queensland. The find expands the species' geographic range into truly tropical waters, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect this unusual fish.
A new study by Tim Grandjean establishes a crucial link between water turbidity and the growth of intertidal areas worldwide. With many coastal waters declining in turbidity over decades, these ecosystems are vulnerable to loss, threatening biodiversity and coastal safety.
A recent analysis of cloud measurements and satellite data suggests that even tiny aerosol particles may play a significant role in cloud formation. This finding challenges current models and could have significant implications for predicting future climate change.
A new landscape evolution model suggests that the first humans in Australia migrated rapidly across the continent following riverine corridors and coastlines. The study identifies areas of archaeological significance and provides insights into the impact of climate-driven geography on human dispersal.
Researchers created a simulation model to analyze the impact of coastal management activities on barrier islands' vulnerability to sea-level rise. The model shows that natural processes can create and maintain barriers, but human efforts to protect communities can disrupt these processes.
Researchers found that sunny day flooding in coastal areas can lead to elevated levels of fecal bacteria in waterways. The study suggests policymakers and public health officials should be aware of potential risks associated with tidal flooding.
Researchers analyzed modern and historic mussel shells to investigate the impact of climate change on ecologically and commercially important mollusks. They found that shells collected today are significantly more porous than those collected in the past, suggesting increases in temperature led to increased porosity.
High levels of plastic pollution can kill the embryos of a wide range of ocean animals, preventing healthy development in all seven tested species. This study highlights the
A Dartmouth-led study found that people in New England, particularly those who frequently consume seafood, face an increased risk of PFAS exposure. The researchers recommend setting safety standards to limit seafood consumption and highlight the need for more stringent public health guidelines.
A study found that concurrent heatwaves and extreme short-term sea level rises at coastal locations significantly increased between 1998 and 2017. Global coastal areas may experience 38 days of CHWESL conditions each year by 2049, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
A study by researchers from the University of Gothenburg found that shy sea anemones can outlast bold ones during extreme heatwaves due to their slower metabolism. This survival strategy may be beneficial for other cold-blooded marine species exposed to rapid temperature changes.
Researchers reconstructed a Late Holocene-aged subfossil coral death assemblage and compared it to modern reefs in Southeast Florida. The study reveals significant differences in coral composition between the two periods, suggesting that modern reefs may not be able to support range expansions of temperature-sensitive species.
The MIT-designed 'architected' reef could dissipate more than 95% of incoming wave energy using a fraction of the material needed, reducing erosion and flooding. The cylindrical structure's unique design leverages turbulence to efficiently break waves, making it a potential solution for coastal protection in various water conditions.
Researchers studied a subpopulation of transient killer whales that prey on marine mammals in the open ocean. They found two distinct foraging behaviors: independent diving and coordinated groups hunting along submarine canyons.
Excavations at La Marmotta, Italy, uncovered five Neolithic canoes dating between 5700-5100BC, featuring advanced construction techniques. The discovery provides invaluable insights into early navigation and the technological sophistication of ancient communities.
The Belt Sea population of harbour porpoises is declining at a rate of 2.7% annually due to by-catch, deoxygenation, pollution, and lack of fish. Limiting net usage or using acoustic alarms on nets could be an immediate solution to mitigate the issue.
A new study projects that as many as 500,000 people could be affected and 1 in 35 properties damaged by flooding in 32 US coastal cities by 2050. The research highlights racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
Researchers observed an individual orca, nicknamed Starboard, killing a 2.5-meter juvenile great white shark within two minutes. The study challenges conventional cooperative hunting behaviors among killer whales, providing new insights into their predatory dynamics and potential impact on marine ecosystems.
A study published in PLOS ONE predicts that climate change will inundate over 4,200 archaeological sites along the US state's coast, with nearly 5,000 at risk by 2100. The authors used a predictive model to account for storm surge events, highlighting the need for cultural heritage managers to take action.
A recent study found that rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones (RI) are already more hazardous than normal TCs and will worsen coastal flooding under future climate warming. RI events may increase by 10-30% for each degree of global mean temperature increase, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
Researchers used movement behavior models to track leatherback sea turtles to previously unknown foraging locations along the US east coast. The study found that leatherbacks use specific areas in the South Atlantic Bight, Mid-Atlantic Bight, and southern New England as both migratory corridors and foraging grounds.
A new Tulane University study uses unprecedented data to project the impact of climate change on coastal wetlands. The research finds that almost 90% of monitoring sites are in deficit, with 75% predicted to be lost by 2070 if no action is taken.
Vittrup Man's genetic signature was distinct from local skeletons, suggesting a non-Scandinavian origin. His tooth enamel isotopes revealed a shift from coastal to farm food in late teens, indicating a transition to farming society in Denmark.
A new study reveals tiny plankton (0.02mm) make up majority of ocean plankton, playing critical role in ecosystem health and oxygen production. The research emphasizes the need to take these tiny organisms seriously and incorporate them into global ocean policy.
A study reveals that sea otter reintroduction has slowed creekbank erosion by up to 90% and restored marsh stability despite rising sea levels and pollution. The researchers suggest that this phenomenon can have far-reaching benefits for ecosystems worldwide, overturning the traditional bottom-up paradigm of coastal geomorphology.
Wildlife filmmaker Carlos Gauna and UC Riverside student Phillip Sternes observed a 5-foot-long pure-white shark pup shedding its embryonic layer. The location off central California's coast is proposed as a potential great white breeding ground, which could help protect endangered species.
Researchers found that coastal trapped waves and tidal mixing control primary production in the tropical Angolan upwelling system. Productivity peaks occur seasonally, with strong fluctuations during austral winter.
A self-powered movable seawall system harnesses microtidal energy to generate electricity, protecting ports against tsunamis and providing emergency power. The system is feasible in 20 Japanese ports along the western coast, facing the Nankai Trough, which is prone to megathrust earthquakes and tsunamis.
A new compound flooding model predicts that New York City will experience historic and devastating floods every 30 years by the end of this century, a fivefold increase from the present climate. The tool helps city planners prepare and protect against future disasters by providing detailed flood forecasts.
A new study by Monterey Bay Aquarium researchers found that sea otter population growth during the last century enhanced kelp forest resilience in California, increasing coverage by 56% along the central coast. However, kelp forests declined dramatically in northern and southern regions due to climate change.
New study reveals that kelp forests off the Pacific Coast were thriving 32 million years ago, with fossilized holdfasts showing evidence of ancient marine mammals and invertebrates. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of kelp ecosystems and highlights the importance of fossil hunting by amateur collectors.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that tidal range schemes can protect estuaries and coastal areas from sea level rise by harnessing high tides and maintaining low tide levels. These barrages can provide jobs, reliable power, and reduced costs while conserving habitats.
Researchers have identified internationally significant rock art sites in Arnhem Land that were intentionally selected for their critical vantage points. The Flinders University research team used innovative methods to model the environmental conditions 15,000-28,000 years ago, shedding new light on the locations and roles of these sites.
The US East Coast is experiencing subsidence rates of up to 5 mm/year, affecting 2.1 million people and 867,000 properties. Rising groundwater extraction and sediment compaction are common causes, while some areas like the Chesapeake Bay experience differential subsidence, posing significant risks to structures.
A new study reveals that major cities on the US Atlantic coast are experiencing rapid subsidence, with areas like New York City and Baltimore sinking up to 5 millimeters per year. The research highlights the risks of land subsidence to critical infrastructure and populations, particularly in high-density areas.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports suggests that rising global temperatures could lead to an expansion of the green turtle's nesting range in the Mediterranean Sea. The authors found that sea surface temperature, salinity, and human population density most affect the suitability of a location as a nesting site.