Articles tagged with Oceans
A study of ocean flotsam dispersion reveals that floating objects form submesoscale clusters before spreading apart. The findings could help estimate the impacts of ocean flotsam and aid the recovery of lost objects.
Tropical Storm Irving is experiencing severe wind shear, causing clouds to gather on one side and exposing the storm's center. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument on board NASA's Aqua satellite provided a visible image of this phenomenon.
Tropical Cyclone Ava is weakening and moving southward off the coast of Madagascar, according to NASA. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds are near 35 knots (40 mph/62 kph), expected to dissipate later in the day on January 9.
Tropical Storm Tembin was spotted by NASA's Terra satellite on Dec. 20 near the Philippine Sea, with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and a westward trajectory. The storm is forecasted to move through the southern Philippine islands, potentially strengthening in the South China Sea.
Long-lasting compounds still dominate the outlook for ozone recovery, despite regulations by the Montreal Protocol. Short-lived compounds from human sources are expected to have minimal impact on ozone recovery due to their short lifetimes.
The oldest plesiosaur, Rhaeticosaurus mertensi, was a strong swimmer with modified limbs and a short tail. It had a streamlined neck and powerful muscles to propel itself through the water.
A global survey found that 91% of entangled marine turtles were dead, with serious wounds from entanglement and maiming. The study highlights the risk of plastic pollution to marine turtles, particularly young hatchlings and juveniles.
Researchers have discovered a long-sought source of ocean methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. The enzyme methylphosphonate synthase (MPnS) is found in abundant marine microbes and may produce the compound that is converted to methane.
A new tool advances understanding of ocean chemistry and suggests that microbial metabolisms shape the ocean's balance. The model simulates impact on North Atlantic chemistry and predicts genes and transcription throughout the ocean.
Tropical Cyclone Ockhi formed in the Northern Indian Ocean after powerful thunderstorms wrapped into its center from the north. The storm was predicted to move northwest and eventually make landfall near Mumbai on Dec. 5.
Tropical Storm Rina strengthened to tropical storm status on Nov. 6 with increased cloud coverage and deep convection near its center. The storm is forecasted to accelerate toward the north-northeast by Wednesday night.
Tropical Depression Nineteen formed in the Central Atlantic Ocean despite wind shear conditions, according to NASA's Terra satellite imagery. The National Hurricane Center expects it to strengthen and potentially become a tropical storm later on Monday.
Tropical Storm Philippe developed from Tropical Depression 18, moving northeast through the Gulf of Mexico to Florida's east coast before merging with a frontal system. The remnants of Philippe dissipated over the western Atlantic Ocean, losing tropical characteristics.
Extra-Tropical Storm Saola transitioned from a tropical storm and tracked southeast of Japan, moving north of Hokkaido on October 30. The storm was east of Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, with clouds stretching into the Sea of Okhotsk and northwest Pacific Ocean.
Tropical Depression 27W continues to struggle south of Guam, with vertical wind shear pushing clouds and thunderstorms away from its center. The depression is expected to consolidate and strengthen as it moves into warmer waters.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of Typhoon Lan with a well-formed, circular eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 100 knots and is forecast to make landfall south of Tokyo as a typhoon on Oct. 22.
A new tropical depression has formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, hours after a neighboring system dissipated. The storm is currently disorganized and moving northwest towards Guam, with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots.
Researchers found over 100 air samples from tropical and subtropical regions revealing an average of 67,000 prokaryotes per cubic meter of sampled air over the oceans compared to 190,000 bacteria per cubic meter of air over land.
Tropical Storm Ophelia was observed as a comma-like shape in NASA's infrared imagery, with cold cloud tops reaching -63°C. The storm is moving eastward at 3 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane within the next 12 hours.
Tropical Storm Ophelia developed on Oct. 9, strengthening into a tropical storm with strong thunderstorms and an eye-like feature. NASA forecasts gradual strengthening over the next 48 hours, with Ophelia expected to become a hurricane by Thursday.
W. Stanley Wilson, founder of NASA's Oceanography from Space Program and organizer of the international coalition supporting the Argo observing system, is recognized for his key role in these initiatives. He will be formally recognized on February 13, 2018, during a ceremony at the Ocean Sciences Meeting.
Scientists discovered that plastic marine debris was transporting non-native species from Japan to North America and Hawaii after the 2011 tsunami. This phenomenon suggests a significant increase in the role of marine debris as a vector for invasive species due to climate change and coastal urbanization.
A study by MIT professor Daniel Rothman suggests that a sixth mass extinction may occur if the world's oceans hold enough carbon to destabilize the system. By 2100, human activities are estimated to add about 310 gigatons of carbon to the oceans, potentially tipping the planet into unknown territory.
Researchers found that changes in the Earth's crust led to the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere around 2.4 billion years ago. This period, known as the Great Oxidation Event, paved the way for the evolution of complex life on Earth.
Tropical Depression 15E is experiencing vertical wind shear due to the GOES-West satellite's observations. The National Hurricane Center expects no change in strength, but a chance for it to become a tropical storm in the coming days.
Typhoon Talim's satellite imagery revealed a large tail-like structure extending from its center to the southeast. The storm was moving west-northwest with maximum sustained winds near 65 knots, intensification expected as it approaches Taiwan.
Hurricane Jose is experiencing vertical wind shear, weakening its circulation and causing asymmetry in its clouds. The strongest rainfall is occurring southeast of the center, with rates near 50 mm per hour.
NASA's Terra satellite passed over Hurricane Jose, capturing a visible-light image of its well-defined eye. The eye has become slightly more asymmetric, with northeastward elongation of the cirrus canopy indicating increasing southwesterly shear.
Tropical Storm Irma is steadily strengthening and nearing hurricane strength, with maximum sustained winds reaching near 70 mph and a central pressure of 997 millibars. Satellite imagery shows the storm becoming better organized with a developing central dense overcast.
Typhoon Sanvu developed a massive eye, approximately 28 nautical miles wide, as observed by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm strengthened to maximum sustained winds near 86 mph, forecast to reach 103 mph before weakening.
Tropical Depression Thirteen-E formed on Aug 18 near latitude 14.8 North, longitude 116.5 West. The depression is expected to strengthen and reach hurricane strength by the end of the weekend, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.
A study by UCSB marine scientists reveals the world's oceans have sufficient space to produce 15 billion metric tons of finfish annually, meeting global demand using less than 1% of ocean surface. Aquaculture could support human livelihoods and economic growth while providing food security.
Typhoon Banyan formed from Tropical Depression 14W and maintained its status with maximum sustained winds near 80 knots. The storm is forecast to intensify and turn north-northeast before becoming extratropical.
A new study suggests that a tiny fraction of oceans, approximately 0.025 percent, could satisfy the world's fish demand through sustainable aquaculture. The research identifies tropical countries with high production potential, where food security issues are prevalent, as key areas for development.
Researchers discovered a new species of brittle star, Teleosaster creasyi, preserved in a 275-million-year-old fossilized meadow in Western Australia. The species shows evidence of evolution before the Permian-Triassic extinction event, which wiped out over 90% of marine life.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of extra-tropical storm Nalgae near the Kuril Islands, indicating a transition from tropical to non-tropical characteristics. The storm was moving north-northwest at 20 mph with maximum sustained winds down to 28.7 mph.
Tropical Storm Franklin formed in the Caribbean Sea on August 6 and is expected to make landfall in Mexico. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph with higher gusts, and it could reach hurricane strength before landfall.
Typhoon Noru made landfall in Wakayama, Japan, with sustained winds near 75 mph, forcing warnings throughout central Japan. The storm is forecast to pass west of Tokyo and re-emerge over the Pacific Ocean by August 9.
The 11th Eastern Pacific hurricane season tropical depression formed on August 4 despite being affected by wind shear. GOES-West and GOES-16 satellites captured images showing a low-pressure area with a well-defined center, indicating the storm's strength.
Tropical Storm Nalgae continues to face vertical wind shear, pushing strongest thunderstorms north of the low-level circulation center. The storm is forecast to continue moving northwest before potentially intensifying to 52 mph.
A team of researchers found that the Kangaroo Island trapdoor spider belongs to a genus only found in South Africa, but migrated to Australia across the Indian Ocean. The study suggests that the spiders used land 'rafts' to cross the ocean, rewriting the history of arachnid dispersal.
Research reveals 'bodysnatchers' of the ocean, mixotrophs that enslave prey to acquire photosynthetic capability, have a significant impact on the food-web. These single-celled organisms support fisheries while others can be highly toxic.
Typhoon Noru formed on July 21 and has been tracked by NASA's Aqua satellite since August 2. The storm is currently located near 25.9 degrees north latitude and 135.9 degrees east longitude, moving northwest at 6 knots with maximum sustained winds of 100 knots.
Tropical Depression Emily consolidated along the central west coast of Florida on July 31 before tracking east into the Western North Atlantic Ocean. The storm's circulation has become elongated, with limited convection near the center due to dry mid-level air, and is expected to turn toward the northeast later in August.
Tropical Depression 13W forms in Northwestern Pacific with maximum sustained winds near 30 knots, centered near 25.4 degrees north latitude and 164.1 degrees east longitude. The storm is expected to intensify to tropical storm status before becoming extra-tropical.
Typhoon Noru has a large, stormy eye filled with high clouds. The satellite data showed strong convective banding and maximum sustained winds near 90 knots.
Researchers found that two more degrees of warming are already committed to by past emissions, regardless of current efforts. Even if all fossil fuel emissions stopped, warming would still reach about 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100.
Tropical Depression 12W forms near Philippines as Typhoon Noru moves north; storm to make landfall in southeastern China on July 30. NASA's Aqua satellite captures visible image of powerful thunderstorms surrounding the center of circulation.
Typhoon Noru is forecast to intensify as it tracks over increasingly warm sea surface temperatures and a point source develops over the system. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted that the storm's maximum sustained winds were near 65 knots (75 mph/120 kph) on July 28.
Typhoon Noru has a 10 mile-wide eye, surrounded by powerful thunderstorms, according to NASA's Aqua satellite imagery captured on July 27. The typhoon is expected to maintain its status over several days, with its eye close to Japan's Iwo To island by July 31.
Tropical Depression Kulap is weakening due to strong wind shear caused by nearby Typhoon Noru. The NASA Terra satellite captured an image of the storm on July 13, showing a swirl of clouds around its center after wind shear pushed clouds away from it.
NASA closely monitored Hurricane Hilary's development, noting its compact nature with winds extending 15 miles from the center. The storm was forecast to move westward at 13 mph, with some slowing down over the next couple of days.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible light image of hurricane Irwin on July 25, showing an elongated band of thunderstorms around its circulation. By July 26, the cloud pattern had significantly deteriorated, with Irwin consisting of a tight circulation center surrounded by deep convection.
A new extinct bird species, Pyrrhula crassa, has been discovered on Graciosa Island in the Azores archipelago. The species went extinct due to human colonization and introduction of invasive species. Its unique beak morphology suggests it was a large bullfinch species.
Tropical Depression Kulap is a waning storm moving west-southwest at 12.6 mph, affected by dry air and northerly wind shear. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the storm to dissipate late on July 26.
Typhoon Noru rages near Minami Tori Shima Atoll, with sustained winds of 92 mph and powerful thunderstorms. The storm is forecast to approach Japan's Iwo To island by July 29.
Tropical Storm Noru formed on July 21 near 28.0 degrees north latitude and 154.7 degrees east longitude, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. The system is expected to move west then become quasi-stationary over the next couple of days due to warm sea surface temperatures.
The 9th tropical depression of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean has formed and developed into a tropical storm, Tropical Storm Kulap. Located near 28.4 degrees north latitude and 177.7 degrees east longitude, Kulap is moving northwest at 19.5 mph with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
Tropical Depression 09E formed off Mexico's southern coast, with NOAA's GOES-East satellite capturing its image on July 21. The depression is moving westward at 14 mph, with a high probability of strengthening into a tropical storm within the next two days.
Tropical Storm Greg is one of three cyclones in the Eastern Pacific, located near 14.3 degrees north latitude and 111.0 degrees west longitude, about 550 miles southwest of Manzanillo, Mexico. As of July 19, its maximum sustained winds were near 45 mph with higher gusts, and it's forecast to gradually strengthen over the next 48 hours.