Articles tagged with Oceans
Tropical Storm Andres has weakened significantly, transitioning from a hurricane to a tropical storm as it moves over cooler waters. Swells generated by the storm are affecting western coast of Mexico, causing life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
The Tara Oceans expedition has produced a comprehensive catalogue of over 40 million genes from 35,000 unknown species, showcasing the vast diversity of planktonic organisms. Climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems are being studied using this global dataset.
Typhoon Dolphin is moving north-northeast towards Iwo To island in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The storm's maximum sustained winds are near 90 knots (103.6 mph), with strongest winds and heaviest rainfall expected on the northeastern side.
A new paper published in Biogeosciences confirms that the Earth's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has increased with rising carbon emissions. This is a positive development, as it suggests that without this increased absorption, CO2 levels would be twice what they are today.
Researchers found two specific ocean hot spots responsible for the record-breaking heat of 1934/36, a decade marked by devastating dust storms. This study may help predict extreme summers over the central US with months-long forecasts.
A University of Utah anthropologist analyzed statistics to determine how Pacific islands were settled between 3,500 and 900 years ago. The study found that seafarers traveled mostly against prevailing winds and sought easily visible islands, rather than relying on distance or resource availability.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in predicting tropical Pacific climate variations, extending the lead time from three seasons to up to three years. The new findings reveal a more complex relationship between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, providing insights into long-term climate variability and its impact on global weather patterns.
Tropical Cyclone Solo weakened under strong vertical wind shear, passing by New Caledonia on April 11 before being downgraded to a remnant low-pressure area. NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of the remnants on April 13, revealing an elongated system with dissipated clouds.
Tropical Cyclone Joalane is a tightly wound tropical cyclone with hurricane-strength winds, generating rough seas and heavy rainfall. NASA's satellite image captures the storm's eye and surrounding thunderstorms, revealing high cloud top temperatures that indicate heavy rainfall potential.
A new study has discovered that mighty mosasaurs, which could grow up to 50 feet long, likely gave birth to their young in the open ocean, not on or near shore. This groundbreaking finding answers a long-held question about the initial environment of this iconic predator.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Haishen over the Fananu and Federated States of Micronesia. The storm weakened to a tropical depression with maximum sustained winds near 25 knots, moving northwest at 7 knots.
Tropical Cyclone 22S, a tropical storm developing in the Southern Indian Ocean, showed organized clouds and a band of thunderstorms on April 6, 2015. The storm was centered near 14.9 south latitude and 61.4 east longitude, with maximum sustained winds of 45 knots (51.7 mph/83.3 kph) at that time.
Cyclone Ikola formed quickly and strengthened to hurricane-force in the Southern Indian Ocean. NASA's MODIS instrument captured an image showing an eye with thunderstorms wrapping into the center, indicating high, strong storms with potential for heavy rainfall.
A Florida Tech study has identified 12 climate refuges worldwide where corals are likely to survive at least until 2100 due to minimal temperature change. These areas, including the Indian and Pacific Oceans, could be essential for coral conservation and should receive protection.
Tropical Cyclone Reuben formed on March 21 and was at its peak when NASA's Aqua satellite captured its image on March 22. The storm quickly weakened due to vertical wind shear before dissipating by March 23.
NASA's Aqua satellite captures image of Tropical Storm Bavi showing strong thunderstorms and a thick band of storms north of the center. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts strengthening to hurricane-force on March 16 after passing over Guam.
Cyclone Pam is strengthening as it moves through the Solomon Islands, triggering warnings for Temotu, Malaita, and Makira provinces. The storm's maximum sustained winds are estimated at 80 knots (92 mph), with heavy rainfall rates of over 158 mm/hour reported near the Santa Cruz Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Pam strengthened to hurricane-force near Vanuatu, with sustained winds reaching up to 56 mph and heavy rainfall expected. NASA's satellite data showed the storm's powerful thunderstorms, which are driving its circulation and intensification.
Tropical Cyclone Pam formed over the Solomon Islands, with GPM satellite detecting heavy rainfall exceeding 1.4 inches per hour. The storm is forecast to intensify and move southeast towards Fiji and New Caledonia.
Tropical Cyclone Haliba forms in Madagascar's Southern Indian Ocean, affecting La Reunion and Mauritius islands with heavy rain and gusty winds. The storm is expected to move southeast over the next several days, intensifying before dissipating due to adverse environmental conditions.
Tropical Cyclone 15S is expected to make landfall in west central Madagascar's Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve. The storm is currently meandering in the Mozambique Channel, but forecasters predict a southwesterly direction and landfall by March 9.
Tropical Cyclone Glenda is intensifying in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing visible evidence of a developing eye. The storm is expected to strengthen to near 95 knots before weakening and turning southeast.
Karen Lloyd, a University of Tennessee professor, has been selected as a 2015 Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow in Ocean Sciences for her groundbreaking research on marine microbial life and geochemical cycles. Her work holds promise for understanding the physiology and ecology of marine microbial life.
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.
Innovative sequencing technologies are allowing scientists to study ocean microbes, revealing their critical role in the global carbon cycle and ecosystem health. The findings highlight the diversity of marine protists and their impact on ocean ecosystems.
Researchers estimate that around 8 million tons of plastic waste entered the world's oceans in 2010, with coastal countries generating close to 275 million tons. To prevent this number from increasing by a full order of magnitude over the next decade, nations need to improve their waste management practices and adopt better strategies.
The University of Miami's School of Communication has developed an open educational resource on ocean health, covering topics like carbon storage and climate change. The resource features interactive modules with original videos showcasing researchers working in the field.
Tropical Cyclone Ola was being battered by vertical wind shear when NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared picture. The storm's cloud tops showed stronger thunderstorms, but forecasters expected it to dissipate due to increasing wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
Tropical Cyclone Eunice was spinning in the Southern Indian Ocean when NASA's Terra satellite captured its transition to an extra-tropical cyclone. The storm's warm core became a cold core, characteristic of mid-latitude low pressure areas.
Tropical Cyclone Ola's elongated shape was caused by northeasterly wind shear pushing clouds southwest of the center. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next 48 hours due to decreasing ocean heat content.
NASA's MODIS instrument captured images of Tropical Cyclone Diamondra and Eunice, combining them to create a single panorama. The storms are intensifying, with Cyclone Eunice expected to peak at 125 knots (143.8 mph) before weakening.
Tropical Cyclone Niko was spotted moving southeast through the Society Islands by NASA's Aqua satellite on January 21. The storm remains compact but strengthening, with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots on January 22.
Tropical Storm Chedza rapidly intensified from a tropical low pressure area to a tropical storm on January 16 near Madagascar's southwestern coast. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 50 knots (57.5 mph/92.6 kph) with a defined low-level circulation center and deep convective banding.
The first Northwestern Pacific tropical depression has formed, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to the region. NASA's TRMM satellite observed two large bands of thunderstorms with rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour near the storm's center.
A study published in PLOS ONE estimates that nearly 269,000 tons of plastic pollution are floating in the world's oceans, with an additional 5 trillion microplastic particles present. This research was conducted over six years across five sub-tropical gyres and coastal regions.
A new study attributes the global 'warming hiatus' to increased oceanic heat drawdown, particularly in the equatorial Pacific, North Atlantic, and Southern Ocean basins. The research reveals distinct mechanisms for each region, improving climate models' projections of future temperature changes.
Typhoon Hagupit continues to intensify as it moves through Micronesia, triggering warnings for strong winds and rough seas. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to 115.1 mph, with forecasters predicting it will peak at Category four on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Tropical Storm Hagupit has become a Category One typhoon with maximum sustained winds near 70 knots, posing threats to islands in Micronesia. The storm is expected to continue moving west-northwest through the region and intensify before weakening on December 6.
Research published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles analyzed rain samples from Bermuda to investigate the origin of oceanic nitrogen. The authors found that certain nitrogen isotopes likely represent ammonium recycled from the ocean rather than inputted from human activities.
Tropical Storm Hagupit rapidly developed from a low-pressure area due to warm waters and favorable atmospheric conditions. The storm strengthened into a tropical storm on Dec. 1, with strong thunderstorms and fragmented bands spiraling into its center.
A new tropical storm, Tropical Cyclone 02S, has formed in the Southern Indian Ocean and is closing in on Mauritius and Reunion Islands. The cyclone is expected to bring gusty winds, showers, and rough seas to the region over the next couple of days.
Tropical Storm Adjali began curving to the southwest in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing visible images of the storm. The storm is expected to weaken due to increased wind shear, cooler sea surface temperatures, and limited outflow.
Tropical Cyclone Adjali developed a distinctive 'tail' of thunderstorms extending south of its center, captured by NASA's MODIS instrument on November 18. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center noted weakening bands of storms spiraling into the low-level center.
The first tropical cyclone of the Southern Indian Ocean cyclone season has formed over 300 miles from Diego Garcia. The storm, named Adjali, is moving east-southeast at 3 knots and expected to intensify before weakening around La Reunion Island.
Tropical Cyclone 5B forms in Bay of Bengal with strong thunderstorms and maximum sustained winds near 35 knots. The storm is expected to make landfall near Chennai on Nov. 9 and dissipate over land quickly.
Researchers found rivers carrying large volumes of sediment meander more across floodplains, creating oxbow lakes. Sediment supply is a key driver of river behavior, affecting meander migration speed and floodplain evolution.
A new study analyzing an ice core from West Antarctica found three 'pulses' of carbon dioxide increase, each rising about 10-15 parts per million over a period of 1-2 centuries. The researchers suggest that these rapid changes may have been caused by a combination of factors, including terrestrial processes and unknown ocean mechanisms.
Tropical Storm Ana was still generating moderate rainfall when NASA's TRMM satellite observed it on October 22. The storm moved northward with a gradual increase in speed, and is expected to be absorbed by an extra-tropical low pressure area near British Columbia, Canada.
Hurricane Gonzalo remains a Category 4 hurricane with strong thunderstorms surrounding its cloud-free eye. The National Hurricane Center forecasts dangerous conditions in Bermuda, including hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall.
Scientists have discovered evidence for a massive mountain range that thrived 600 million years ago, supporting an explosion of life on Earth. The Himalayan-scale range was eroded intensely, releasing nutrients into the oceans that allowed life to flourish.
Tropical Storm Ana is intensifying in the Central Pacific Ocean, with maximum sustained winds near 70 mph. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane by late October 15 and may impact Hawaii on October 16.
Extra-Tropical Storm Vongfong transitioned into an extra-tropical storm early on Oct. 4 as its core changed from warm to cold while being monitored by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm was located near 29.1 north latitude and 142.9 east longitude, about 111 nautical miles southeast of Misawa, Japan.
Tropical Storm Ana was spotted by NASA's Aqua satellite on October 13, with maximum sustained winds near 50 mph. The storm is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane and approach the big island of Hawaii by Sunday, October 19.
Tropical Storm Hudhud formed on Oct. 8 in the Northern Indian Ocean after a period of dormancy, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the storm will strengthen into a hurricane and make landfall near Visakhapatnam on Oct. 10.
Tropical Storm Vongfong forms in Northwestern Pacific Ocean with NASA's Terra satellite capturing visible image on Oct. 3. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon as it moves north of Guam.
Typhoon Phanfone had a small, pinhole-sized open eye surrounded by a thick band of thunderstorms. The storm was expected to weaken and transition to an extra-tropical cyclone on October 4.
Phanfone is now a threat to various islands, with warnings and watches in effect for Saipan, Tinian, Pagan, and Alamagan. The storm is moving west-northwest at 11 knots, with forecasters expecting it to intensify into a typhoon after passing through the Marianas Islands.
Tropical Storm Edouard is weakening, with maximum sustained winds at near 60 mph, and expected to become post-tropical later on Sept. 19. It will then head east and impact the western Azores Islands over the weekend of Sept. 20-21 before turning south.
NASA's Terra satellite and NOAA's GOES-East satellite captured images of Tropical Storm Edouard as it grew into a Category 2 hurricane. The storm consolidated with its bands of thunderstorms becoming more tightly wrapped around the eye, which became visible on and off during September 14.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured high-resolution infrared images of Tropical Storm Edouard, revealing very high thunderstorms and cold cloud top temperatures. The storm is moving west-northwest at 16 mph, with forecasters predicting it may become a hurricane by September 15.