Articles tagged with Coastlines
A new study highlights the need for a national policy to protect submerged Indigenous sites, which are at risk due to climate change, dredging, and seabed mining. Archaeological discoveries off the Pilbara coastline in Western Australia have uncovered ancient stone tools, rock art, and engravings dating back over 7,000 years.
Scientists have reported the discovery of freshened groundwater offshore the Maltese Islands, which may constitute a new source of potable water. The study suggests that this offshore groundwater body is isolated and not actively recharged, posing sustainability concerns for its exploitation.
A new model simulates tortuous magma pathways feeding eruptions, identifying three forces: hotspot rise, volcanic rock weight, and buoyancy. This understanding lays foundations for predicting fissure eruptions and reducing dangers.
A recent paper examines the critical period before river regulation began, revealing that erosion of the upper Atchafalaya and dredging of the lower Mississippi contributed to increased water flow. The research aims to better understand river channel dynamics and inform management decisions to preserve Louisiana's coastline.
A Stanford University study found that coastal flooding in the Bay Area leads to significant travel time delays and an increase in vehicular accident rates, particularly in residential neighborhoods. The research highlights the importance of prioritizing road safety in climate adaptation planning.
A new study found that high-speed ferries and recreational boats produce substantial underwater noise in San Francisco Bay, affecting gray and humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins. The researchers used radar tracking technology to quantify vessel noise, revealing that ferries generate more noise than large commercial ships.
Researchers suggest that the 1700 Cascadia earthquake could be part of a longer-lived sequence of earthquakes, potentially spanning many decades. This hypothesis has significant implications for how earthquake hazard maps are created for the region, and may help explain why there is little geologic evidence of the event in some areas.
The deployment of personal electronic deterrents is an effective way to prevent future deaths and injuries from shark bites. The technology has been shown to reduce the likelihood of a bite by about 60%, potentially saving hundreds of lives.
A new theoretical model of wave formation in straits and channels accounts for nonlinear effects and improves wave prediction. The research can protect coastline infrastructure and make maritime travel safer.
A recent study led by the University of Malta discovered that groundwater flow can create large gullies along Canterbury's coastline, New Zealand, with some forming in under a week. The gullies are a significant coastal hazard, leading to agricultural land loss and posing risks to local communities.
Researchers uncovered evidence of human occupations along South Africa's eastern seaboard from 35,000 years ago to 10,000 years ago, providing insights into coastal foraging during glacial periods. The study reveals that people had access to the sea and could live near coastlines even during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Researchers found that small tributaries to Lake Michigan play a big role in feeding algae blooms and impacting coastal waters. Small streams often had high nutrient loads and contained higher percentages of soluble reactive phosphorus, making them significant contributors to water quality concerns.
Researchers created a map of global mangrove habitat changes between 2000 and 2016, revealing that human causes like farming and aquaculture led to more rapid losses than natural causes. The study's findings highlight the importance of addressing both human and natural threats in conservation efforts.
An international team of scientists warns that artificial structures and reclaimed land in coastal urban areas can cause more harm than good, even with green technologies. They advocate for caution and rigorous evaluation of claims over biodiversity gain to prevent 'greenwashing'.
A new study suggests that mangrove trees will likely disappear by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, threatening the planet's ability to combat climate change. Mangroves store significant amounts of carbon and protect coastlines, providing habitat for fish and other species.
A new study warns that coastal erosion and rising sea levels will accelerate due to climate change, threatening the world's sandy beaches. Effective climate action could prevent 40% of erosion, but societies will still need to adapt and protect these ecosystems.
A new study found that eroding permafrost coastlines in the Arctic can release significant quantities of carbon dioxide, potentially exacerbating climate change. The research simulated erosion effects in a lab experiment and found CO2 was released as rapidly from thawing permafrost in seawater as it is from thawing permafrost on land.
Tropical Storm Maha has developed near the southwestern Indian coast and is strengthening, as indicated by its symmetrical shape. The storm's center is located approximately 848 nautical miles south-southeast of Karachi, Pakistan, with forecasted northwest movement over the next couple of days.
NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of newly formed Tropical Depression 11 over the western Gulf of Mexico on Sept. 17. The storm briefly strengthened into Tropical Storm Imelda, making landfall near Freeport, Texas, and triggering a Tropical Storm Warning.
Research finds that a warming planet will alter ocean waves along more than 50% of the world's coastlines, leading to significant implications for coastal flooding and erosion. The study projects changes in wave patterns under different climate scenarios, with some areas experiencing increases in mean wave heights and others decreases.
A rapid retreat of Arctic coastline has been revealed through drone surveys, showing a 14.5-meter erosion over a 40-day period. The study highlights the impacts of climate change on permafrost landscapes, with storms causing increasing damage to coastal areas.
Dr. Robert A. Holman's work on developing remote sensing tools and advancing coastal understanding earned him Fellow status from The Oceanography Society. His sustained leadership enabled the nearshore community to collectively advance oceanography and coastal engineering questions.
A new study finds that variations in water temperature over long stretches of coastline lead to the emergence of new marine fish species without geographical isolation. This discovery sheds light on the early stages of species evolution in the ocean and has significant implications for managing threatened or exploited fish stocks.
A Tel Aviv University study has discovered the presence of microplastics and plastic additives in solitary ascidians along Israel's coastline. The research highlights the significant impact of human activities on marine life, with findings suggesting that these pollutants are present even in protected beaches.
Historical records of shark catches in Queensland show a 50-year decline, with large apex sharks decreasing by 74-92%. The average size of sharks has also decreased.
The first vertebrates on Earth diversified in nearshore intertidal and subtidal environments over a period of 100 million years. Early adaptations allowed them to spread into other habitats, with more strongly built creatures remaining in shallow waters and gracile body forms colonizing deeper water.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are providing critical geospatial data to support first responders in disaster scenarios. They use novel computing techniques to extract meaningful information from satellite images, enabling FEMA to prioritize damage assessments and recovery operations.
Researchers found that fringing coral reefs can effectively protect shorelines from extensive erosion caused by tropical cyclones. The study used Ningaloo Reef as a case study and showed that the reef's shape and structure can dissipate large waves, reducing coastal damage.
New research suggests that high sea levels in the Mediterranean Sea may have triggered the formation of Mount Etna's distinctive cone structure. This theory proposes that changes in the volcano's magma behavior coincide with periods of rising sea levels, which could also explain similar changes at other volcanic sites worldwide.
A study by a team of economists and marine experts found that protecting marine coastlines contributes $179 million to the state's economy, more than finfish landings and whale-watching. Coastal conservation groups support activities such as beach cleanup and education campaigns.
The EU project Nunataryuk explores the consequences of permafrost thaw on Earth's coldest shorelines, collaborating with local communities to devise new strategies. Thawing permafrost releases greenhouse gases, contaminates coastal waters, and harms marine habitats.
A new study reveals that healthy coral populations can produce significantly more offspring than degraded populations, with higher percentages of successful parents and increased reproductive output. This finding highlights the critical role of healthy coral reefs in supporting reef recovery and re-seeding other areas.
Researchers have found river deposits on Mars that date back over 3.5 billion years, indicating a surface environment capable of supporting liquid water. The study suggests that large fluctuations in the size of the water body forced the formation of paleo-valleys, revealing long-term stability in the controlling water body.
Researchers analyzed shark scavenging behavior to identify marks on human bones, distinguishing them from terrestrial carnivore marks. The study found that shark teeth leave striations, while terrestrial carnivores leave puncture-like marks, providing valuable clues for forensic anthropologists.
By 2100, climate change could lead to the displacement of 2 billion people worldwide due to rising ocean levels. The study's author, Charles Geisler, warns that coastal climate refugees will face significant barriers to entry when migrating to higher ground.
Wind-driven expansion of marsh ponds on the Mississippi River Delta is a major factor in land loss, with 17% of loss attributed to pond expansion. The study suggests diverting sediment to marsh ponds can halt expansion and reverse the trend of land loss.
A team of palaeontologists has discovered an unprecedented 21 different types of dinosaur tracks on the Dampier Peninsula coastline. The diversity of these tracks makes the area globally unparalleled and provides a unique glimpse into Australia's dinosaur fauna during the Early Cretaceous Period.
A new mechanism explains how great earthquakes cause coastal uplift worldwide, highlighting the potential for future damaging earthquakes and tsunamis at active subduction margins. Paleoshorelines reveal that recent uplift is often greatest in periods with clustered large-magnitude earthquakes.
Researchers have mapped underground drainage systems connecting fresh groundwater and seawater, highlighting vulnerable sites to saltwater intrusion. The study identifies areas where drinking water is at risk due to ocean contamination or saltwater invasion.
A study of Antarctic coastline images reveals a 40-year record of ice loss to the ocean, with approximately 1000km2 of ice lost over the past four decades. The research team used satellite data to track changes in ice thickness and thinning rates along West Antarctica's coastline.
A new study found that introduced salt marsh plants, like Spartina alterniflora, have caused significant shifts in ecosystem productivity and biodiversity over the past 200 years. These changes were likely hidden from scientists due to the 'ecological mirage' phenomenon, where our perception of nature can be illusory.
Researchers used computer models to simulate a tsunami generated by an earthquake in the Ventura basin, finding that it could inundate parts of the regional coastline several kilometers inland. The study highlights the potential for significant tsunami hazards in the area and emphasizes the need for full hazard assessments.
Researchers from MIT and WHOI have developed a simple way to predict a river delta's shape, influenced by its river's sediment flux and ocean waves' strength. The new metric can help engineers determine how engineered structures like dams and levees may affect the coastline of a river delta.
Tropical Storm Carlos remains a small, tightly wound storm with thunderstorms wrapped around its center, producing life-threatening flash floods and mudslides in Mexico. The storm is expected to rapidly weaken and dissipate over the coast of western Mexico.
Researchers found a large, wedge-shaped berm about 15 feet above sea level, with washing machine-sized stones, indicating an ancient tsunami. The berm stretches for at least 30 miles along the Caribbean coast near Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
A new study estimates that between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic enter the world's oceans every year, with a midpoint estimate of 8 million metric tons. The research, published in Science, used a complex model to analyze data from 192 coastal countries and highlights the need for improved waste management systems worldwide.
Extensive world deltas will be lost due to rising sea levels, with major cities like Shanghai, Dhaka, and Bangkok facing inundation. The retention of sand, mud, and vegetation is not fully understood, hindering development of maintenance strategies.
NASA's GOES-West satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Storm Simon on Oct. 3, showing strong thunderstorms circling the storm's center and rainfall in western Mexico. The storm is expected to produce total rainfall amounts of 3-5 inches with isolated amounts up to 8 inches, causing flash flooding and mudslides.
A two-year international project will analyze wave energy transformations between sea and cliffs, using laser technology to compile detailed profiles of coastal rock surfaces. The study aims to improve predictions of coastal erosion and provide a greater understanding of potential threats to rocky coastlines.
In the summer of 2014, wildfires burned an area three times larger than usual in Khabarovsk Krai, Russia, with 12,600 forest fires spanning 1.8 million hectares
Hurricane Polo is expected to strengthen before weakening due to northeasterly wind shear on Sept 19. The storm is currently located about 150 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
Tropical Storm Cristina was born in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm's strong thunderstorms are producing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions along western Mexico's coast.
Researchers will assess how vulnerable coastlines are to future extreme Atlantic storms, which are expected to become more frequent. They aim to develop adaptation strategies that might be implemented before future storms.
Tropical Storm Pewa has passed over Wake Island, located just north of the Marshall Islands. The storm was captured on NASA satellite imagery and is expected to intensify again while moving northwest, potentially becoming a typhoon over the next five days.
A new study by Stanford researchers maps the entire US coastline, revealing where and how much protection communities get from natural habitats such as dunes, reefs, sea grasses, and mangroves. The study suggests that intact ecosystems near vulnerable coastal communities can reduce losses from sea level rise and storms.
Researchers discovered three new, previously unknown clam species that diverged from a common ancestor over 10 million years ago. A climate-cooling event may have played a role in their evolution, leading to the creation of distinct biogeographic provinces along Australia's coastline.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is intensifying as it moves southwest paralleling the Western Australian coastline, according to NASA satellite imagery. The cyclone is expected to strengthen over the next two days, bringing gales with gusts of up to 100 kph and heavy rainfall along the Pilbara coastline.
Tropical Storm Gaemi is packing significant power in its central region and on one side of the storm. NASA satellite imagery shows a bright white area with higher, stronger thunderstorms around the center.
A new Delft model reveals that coastline erosion due to rising sea levels is greater than previously thought, particularly near inlets. The model accurately predicts coastline development in areas with high rainfall and compensating effects, such as basin infilling.
Tropical Storm Haikui is heading towards landfall in southeastern China, bringing strong winds, flooding, and coastal erosion. The storm's size and shape are being monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite, which captured a detailed image of its ragged eye.