Articles tagged with Oceans
The Atmospheric Tomography (ATom) mission surveys the atmosphere over oceans for the first time, measuring pollutants and climate gases. The DC-8 aircraft will document interactions between air masses, understanding where pollutants originate and how quickly they react chemically.
Tropical Depression 4E formed in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph. The depression is expected to become a tropical storm in three days and potentially reach hurricane status.
A new University of British Columbia study finds that ships flagged for illegal fishing can obtain insurance; researchers propose using vessel list checks to block such vessels from securing coverage. This approach is cheaper and more effective than traditional methods to combat illegal fishing.
A University of Adelaide study reveals a global increase in cephalopod abundance since the 1950s, with rapid growth and adaptation traits allowing them to thrive in changing ocean environments.
A new study reveals that cephalopod populations have consistently increased over the past six decades, with diverse groups exhibiting remarkable long-term trends. The research suggests that cephalopods' rapid growth and adaptability may be key factors behind their proliferation in changing ocean environments.
Researchers from the University of Bristol found that marine reptiles in the Mesozoic era quickly developed diverse feeding habits and morphological adaptations, expanding their ecological niches. This study, published in Paleobiology, sheds light on the rapid evolution of these ancient predators.
Tropical Cyclone 01B is intensifying with maximum sustained winds of 40 knots, displacing 134,000 persons in the path of the storm. The system has caused record-breaking rainfall in Sri Lanka since its inception on May 14.
A new reef system has been found at the mouth of the Amazon River, providing scientists with a wider view of the reef community and its variation. The discovery offers insights into how the reef community changes as it moves north along the shelf break in response to seasonal light exposure.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala is a Category 2 hurricane with a wide, clear eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 105 knots (120.8 mph/194.5 kph) on April 20.
Researchers discovered a significant shift in copper isotopic composition, indicating the Great Oxidation Event's gradual increase in atmospheric oxygen. This finding provides a tool to track fluctuations in oxygen levels throughout Earth's history and sheds light on the evolution of life.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala reached Category 5 status in the Southern Indian Ocean, with wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second. The storm had a wide eye and powerful thunderstorms wrapping around it, according to NASA's observations from the RapidScat instrument and MODIS satellite.
Geologists now track tectonic plate motion to understand ocean and mountain range formation, as well as animal species distribution. The technology reveals new geological relationships in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, with implications for predicting earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tropical Cyclone 18P formed west of Vanuatu on April 5, with strong thunderstorms and a thick band wrapping into the center from the south. The storm is expected to move east-southeast, cross Vanuatu, and track just south of Fiji before weakening.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters found that marine heatwaves have recurred regularly since 1950 but have become more common since the 1970s. The research analyzed ocean surface temperature observations over 65 years, including a notable 'warm blob' in the Pacific Northwest from 2013 to 2015.
Tropical Cyclone 17S formed on March 28 with sustained winds near 40 knots, located about 726 nautical miles south-southeast of Diego Garcia. The storm is expected to continue moving south before being disrupted by dry air.
Researchers found a unique cyanobacterium that provides nitrogen to a more complex cell host without photosynthesis, evolving around 90 million years ago. This 'slaving event' is crucial for the marine food web, providing bioavailable nitrogen.
Tropical Cyclone Yalo has weakened significantly due to strong vertical wind shear from an approaching low-pressure trough. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued their final bulletin on Feb. 26, reporting a maximum sustained wind speed of 35 knots (40 mph).
Tropical Cyclone Winston maintained a pinhole eye as it weakened, with strong thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center. The storm's forward speed increased, and forecasters expect it to turn southwestward before weakening significantly due to strong vertical wind shear.
Tropical Storm 10S formed over the Southern Indian Ocean after being tracked by NASA's Terra satellite. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots (40 mph) on Feb 10 and are expected to peak at 50 knots (57.5 mph) on Feb 11 before weakening due to strong wind shear.
A recent study reveals that ocean plankton networks play a crucial role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and depositing it deep in the ocean. The research, led by Matthew Sullivan of Ohio State University, used advanced genetic sequencing to identify clusters of organisms most linked to carbon deposition.
Researchers found diverse communities inhabit plastic debris with barnacles creating complex habitat, similar to trees or corals. This could allow foreign species to invade natural coastlines, compromising biodiversity.
Researchers analyzed hundreds of peer-reviewed articles to find that fish populations worldwide are contaminated with industrial and agricultural pollutants. However, pollutant concentrations have been consistently dropping over the last 30 years.
The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite observed Tropical Cyclone Corentin, which was weakening due to high vertical wind shear. Rainfall data showed moderate to heavy rainfall in bands southeast of the exposed center of low-level circulation.
Tropical Cyclone Victor has weakened to a tropical storm due to increased vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the cyclone will continue to weaken over the next two days and dissipate.
Tropical Cyclone Victor was found to have its strongest winds south of its center at 34 meters per second, with maximum sustained winds near 65 knots. The storm maintained hurricane-strength and an eye, with powerful bands of thunderstorms around the center.
NASA/NOAA's GOES-West satellite captured images of Tropical Cyclone Victor in the South Pacific Ocean, revealing a thick band of thunderstorms and a developing eye. The cyclone had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph) and was moving west-southwest at 7 knots.
NASA's RapidScat instrument and Aqua satellite captured data on the storm, which formed from a low-pressure area. It became the first hurricane to form in January since 1938 and is expected to maintain hurricane status until January 16.
The National Hurricane Center has been monitoring System 90L, a low-pressure center producing winds of over 52 knots (60 mph) and heavy rainfall rates up to 94 mm/h. The system's strongest winds were observed southwest and southeast of the low pressure center.
Tropical Storm Pali continues to thrive in the Central Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph. It is expected to maintain tropical storm strength until Saturday, Jan. 16, moving toward the Equator.
NASA's RapidScat instrument measured surface winds in Tropical Storm Ula, finding the strongest sustained winds near 29 meters per second/south of the center. The storm is expected to weaken due to increasing vertical wind shear and cooler waters.
Researchers found that human activities contribute far less nitrogen to the open ocean than previously thought. The study suggests that the ocean plays a substantial role in recycling organic nitrogen, reducing the impact of nitrogen pollution on the carbon cycle.
Tropical Cyclone Ula is weakening as it moves west and passes south of Fiji, according to NASA satellite imagery. The storm's thunderstorm development has 'shrunk and become more shallow,' with dry air from the southwest sapping evaporation and thunderstorm activity.
Former hurricane Ula has weakened to a tropical storm in the South Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds dropping to 55 knots. The storm is expected to continue moving west and weaken due to increasing vertical wind shear.
Sea spray from oceans sends aerosols into the atmosphere, affecting cloud formation and duration. The unique ice nucleating particles in sea spray initiate the formation of ice in clouds, impacting their composition.
A new study by Colorado State University's Paul DeMott confirms that sea spray aerosols from oceans have a unique impact on cloud formation and duration. These particles initiate the formation of ice and affect the composition and radiative properties of clouds, which in turn influence climate and precipitation.
Tropical Depression Melor formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean close to Yap island, consolidating with powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures exceeding -63F. The storm is expected to strengthen to 60 knots before landfall in the eastern Philippines on Dec. 14.
Reduced storm activity over mid-latitude regions leads to more persistent heatwaves and droughts, while also increasing the likelihood of record-breaking cold temperatures. This study highlights the sensitivity of regional weather conditions to changes in large-scale atmosphere dynamics.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Earth Science found that climate change is likely to increase the input of black carbon to the Arctic Ocean. The team, led by University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist Aron Stubbins, discovered that black carbon stored in Arctic soils is being exported to the oceans.
Tropical Storm In-fa was becoming an extra-tropical storm as it tracked toward the island of Iwo To, Japan. The storm battled wind shear and retained hurricane-force winds, moving east-northeast at 12 knots.
Tropical Storm Rick weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, with NASA's RapidScat instrument detecting strongest winds on its eastern side. The remnant low is expected to dissipate in a few days, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.
Tropical Storm Annabelle formed on Nov. 21 with NASA's Terra satellite capturing its development, intensified winds reaching up to 67 mph/108 kph. The storm weakened on Nov. 23 as cloud tops warmed, indicating a decrease in convection and tropospheric height.
Typhoon In-fa has become elongated to the northeast with powerful thunderstorms surrounding its cloud-filled eye. The storm is expected to weaken over the next couple of days and approach the island of Iwo To, Japan on Nov. 26.
Tropical Storm Rick strengthened into a tropical storm on Nov. 19, becoming the 21st of the Eastern Pacific Ocean season. The storm joined an elite group of late-season storms, with only three tropical storms forming later than this date since reliable records began in the early 1970s.
Tropical Depression 21E formed southwest of Mexico's western coast on November 18. The storm is expected to strengthen and become a tropical storm by Thursday, with a turn towards the northwest.
NASA's RapidScat detected moderately high winds over a broad area in the Gulf of Mexico, with sustained winds near 40 mph/64 kph, just south of Louisiana. The hybrid system's cloud cover extended from Florida to Louisiana and into the Mid-Atlantic States.
Researchers have finally tracked adult American eels in the Sargasso Sea, solving a 100-year-old mystery. The study reveals that eels use magnetic field detection to navigate their 2,400km journey from Nova Scotia to the reproduction site.
A University of British Columbia study found that major swaths of the ocean must be protected to reach global biodiversity targets. Currently, only 16% of protected areas are designated as 'no-take' zones, which are crucial for conserving marine life.
Hurricane Olaf remains a major hurricane with sustained winds near 115 mph, moving northward towards the Hawaiian Islands. Swells generated by the storm will produce life-threatening surf along east-facing shores.
Typhoon Champi is experiencing vertical wind shear, resulting in its elongation. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the storm will weaken and transition to an extra-tropical system on October 24.
The 26th Northwestern Pacific Tropical Depression formed on October 22, 2015, near Wake Island. It had maximum sustained winds of 28.7 mph and was moving north-northeast at 23.0 mph.
Tropical Depression 19E is showing signs of organization in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with a large area of convection near its center. The depression is forecast to become a tropical storm later today and a hurricane over the weekend.
The Digital Atlas of Ancient Life app enables anyone to discover and classify fossils with the eye of a scientist, featuring pictures, maps, and information on fossil origins. The app is available for download and can be used by farmers, amateur paleontologists, teachers, and biologists to learn about fossils in the field.
Tropical Storm Koppu formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean on October 13, strengthening into a tropical storm within hours. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) and is expected to intensify steadily towards the Philippines.
A rare tropical depression has formed exactly between Baja California and Hawaii, with NASA detecting its formation using NOAA's GOES-West satellite. The system is moving westward at 14 mph and is expected to strengthen into a hurricane by Sunday, October 11.
NASA and NOAA satellites tracked Hurricane Joaquin's movement through the northern Atlantic, revealing powerful thunderstorms and cloud top temperatures of -63F/-53C. Swells generated by the storm will continue to affect Bermuda and the US Northeast coast.
Tropical Depression 8C formed near Hawaii on October 3 and quickly weakened to a post-tropical cyclone. The GOES-West satellite captured its final image as it tracked west through the Central Pacific Ocean before dissipating.
Tropical Storm Oho formed near Hawaii on October 3, with strongest winds detected on its southeastern side. The storm is expected to intensify and move northeast, potentially affecting the US.
The Ocean Conservancy's report outlines specific land-based solutions for reducing ocean plastic waste, including a four-point plan to cut leakage by 45% in 10 years. The report estimates a total cost of $5 billion and significant returns to the global economy.
Tropical Storm Niala formed after experiencing wind shear, according to NASA's Aqua satellite data. The storm moved through warm waters and intensified into a tropical depression before strengthening into a tropical storm.
Tropical Storm Ida's wind shear is pushing clouds and strongest storms to the east and northeast of its center, with coldest cloud tops reaching -63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storm remains over open ocean, with forecasters predicting a slow eastward motion followed by a turn towards the north later on September 24.