Articles tagged with Oceans
NASA satellites captured images of Hurricane Lester as it weakened to a Category 3 hurricane on August 30. The storm showed signs of weakening due to decreased deep convection within its central dense overcast. Forecasters predict continued westward movement before the storm turns northwest.
Hurricane Lester is the fourth major hurricane of the 2016 eastern North Pacific hurricane season. It has strengthened into a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph and is expected to move westward for the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm Madeline in the Central Pacific Ocean has strengthened into a hurricane, according to NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite imagery. The storm is showing signs of organization, with a well-formed eyewall and little vertical wind shear deformation.
Hurricane Gaston is a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 mph, located about 575 miles east of Bermuda. The storm is expected to move over decreasing sea surface temperatures and into increasing vertical wind shear, causing a gradual weakening.
NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed Tropical Depression 13E with its Atmospheric Infrared Sounder instrument, indicating strengthening thunderstorms and cold cloud tops. The depression is expected to continue strengthening over the next couple of days, potentially becoming a hurricane.
Tropical Storm Gaston intensified in the Atlantic Ocean with rainfall rates reaching up to 141 mm per hour. The GPM satellite provided detailed measurements of precipitation, cloud heights, and storm tops.
Tropical Storm Gaston formed in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean after a low-pressure area organized into a depression on August 22. By August 23, the system strengthened into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of near 50 mph and higher gusts.
A new tropical depression has formed north of Guam, prompting a tropical storm warning for nearby islands. The depression is expected to track northward, bringing strong winds and heavy rainfall to the area.
Tropical Storm Lionrock is consolidating and strengthening under NASA's Terra satellite imagery. The storm has tracked south-southwestward at 5.7 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph.
Tropical Storm Fiona weakened significantly as NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its image on Aug. 22. The storm's clouds were pushed east by strong westerly shear, leading to a decrease in organization and thunderstorm activity.
Tropical Depression 10W has formed near Guam with strong thunderstorms and cold top temperatures, generating potential for heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to continue moving north-northwestward over the next several days, potentially intensifying into a minimal tropical storm by August 22-23.
Tropical Storm Fiona is strengthening in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, with maximum sustained winds of near 45 mph. The storm's movement and pressure are expected to continue west-northwest for the next couple of days.
Researchers from 23 institutions confirm formation of the Isthmus of Panama at 2.8 million years ago, based on geological, oceanographic, genetic and ecological data. This timing has significant implications for evolutionary change, global ocean models, and the origin of modern-day animals and plants in the Americas.
NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of extra-tropical cyclone Conson on Aug. 15, 2016, showing clouds covering Japan's Hokkaido and stretching over the Sea of Okhotsk and Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued the final warning of Conson on Aug. 14.
Researchers studied coral species at volcanic CO2 vents in Papua New Guinea and found that they can regulate their internal pH, allowing them to grow despite ocean acidification. This discovery provides insights into the potential long-term survival of corals under climate change scenarios.
Researchers found that short-lived physical barriers in the ocean caused by temperature or salinity changes influence phytoplankton communities. This provides insight into maintaining high biodiversity of phytoplankton and its impact on the food web.
Research published in Scientific Reports finds that current atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations already commit the planet to air temperatures exceeding 1.5°C over many land regions. This expected extra warming could impact city planning and ecosystem services.
NASA's Aqua satellite and RapidScat instrument captured data on Tropical Storm Darby's winds and cloud top temperatures before it weakened to a remnant low-pressure system. The strongest winds were found north of the storm's center, with coldest cloud top temperatures exceeding -63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Hurricane Georgette is a powerful storm with a clear eye visible on NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite image. The storm strengthened to a category 4 hurricane before weakening and becoming a remnant low in about 3 days.
Hurricane Darby weakened to a tropical storm on July 20 as it approached the Central Pacific Ocean. The storm was about 1,000 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 60 mph.
Scientists tested Emiliania huxleyi's ability to adapt to ocean acidification over four years, finding limited growth rate improvement despite genetic identity. The study revealed that evolution amplifies negative effects on calcification, while adapted populations can still form calcium carbonate platelets under current CO2 conditions.
Tropical Cyclone Abela formed on July 16 in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's RapidScat instrument measuring winds of up to 67 mph near its center. The cyclone is forecast to move west-southwest towards Madagascar and weaken due to adverse atmospheric conditions.
Tropical Storm Celia has weakened to near 45 mph winds as it moves into the central Pacific Ocean. The storm is expected to gradually spin down and become a post-tropical cyclone by tonight due to cooler sea surface temperatures and stable air masses.
The sixth tropical depression of the Eastern Pacific Ocean formed on July 15 and was captured by NOAA's GOES-West satellite. The system has acquired a well-defined circulation and convective banding, classifying it as a tropical cyclone.
Hurricane Darby's eye features powerful thunderstorms and a ragged 25 nautical mile-wide center. The storm is expected to weaken due to cooler sea surface temperatures.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image showing Hurricane Blas' eye filled with high clouds, while infrared imagery revealed a pinhole eye. The storm was weakening rapidly, with maximum sustained winds decreasing to near 105 mph.
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.
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.
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.
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.