Articles tagged with Oceans
A landmark study on coral reefs has collected data on over 2.5 million individual corals across 44 countries, revealing alarming rates of bleaching due to climate change, with researchers urging immediate action to protect reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.
The University of Bath's Naturbeads technology uses cellulose to create biodegradable microbeads that can replace plastic microbeads in personal care products, reducing ocean pollution. The company will receive funding to commercialize the technology and test its use in cosmetic and personal care industries.
Tropical Storm Krosa developed a 'comma shape' signature from thunderstorms feeding into the low-level center. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached near 60 knots, strengthening as it moved north-northwest towards Japan.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a clear image of Typhoon Lekima, showing a tight band of powerful thunderstorms surrounding its central eye. The storm is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane, making landfall near Shanghai around August 12.
NASA's Aqua satellite images show a ring of strong thunderstorms around Lekima's center, with maximum sustained winds near 50 knots. The storm is expected to strengthen into a typhoon and pass over Taiwan before dissipating off China's east coast.
Tropical Storm Gil formed on August 3 and strengthened to 40mph before weakening and degenerating into a remnant low pressure area. NASA's Terra satellite detected small areas of strong storms with cloud top temperatures as cold as -50F in the Eastern Pacific.
Tropical Storm Francisco formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean and was observed by NASA's Terra satellite using infrared light. The storm showed coldest cloud top temperatures as low as -80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong thunderstorms with potential for heavy rainfall.
Tropical Storm Flossie is expected to cross into the Central Pacific basin later today, carrying maximum sustained winds of near 70 mph and a minimum central pressure of 993 millibars. Gradual weakening is anticipated over the weekend, with further decline in forward speed expected through early next week.
Tropical Storm Erick is strengthening in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with powerful thunderstorms and cold cloud tops indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The National Hurricane Center forecasts Erick to become a hurricane by Tuesday, with a turn towards the west-northwest expected.
African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon Basin, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. The study reveals that biomass burning may supply up to half of the annual phosphorus delivered to these regions.
Research found that African biomass burning is a substantial source of phosphorus deposition to the Amazon, Tropical Atlantic Ocean, and Southern Ocean. This discovery has significant implications for understanding Earth's climate and may impact primary productivity and carbon dioxide drawdown in both ecosystems.
Tropical Depression 3 formed on July 22 and dissipated by July 24, with NASA's Terra satellite capturing an image of its remnant clouds. The depression was centered about 60 miles east-southeast of Daytona Beach, Florida, with maximum sustained winds near 35 mph.
Tropical Depression Dalila is weakening due to cooler sea surface temperatures and dry air. The system is expected to dissipate within a few days, with Dalila becoming a post-tropical remnant low tonight.
Tropical Storm Danas is being affected by vertical wind shear, which is pushing against it and affecting the storm's shape. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts that Danas will veer to the north-northeast and run parallel to the east coast of China.
Tropical Depression Danas has formed northeast of the Northern Philippines, affecting the country with its powerful storms and strong winds. The depression is currently moving west-northwest at a speed of about 25 knots, causing widespread disruption in the region.
A record-breaking South American drought and marine heatwave in 2013/14 were caused by strong atmospheric convection over the Indian Ocean. The event displaced normal atmospheric circulation over South America, leading to extreme weather conditions and severe impacts on agriculture, public health, and fisheries.
A mathematical model explains relationship between oceans' carbon storage and environmental disruptions during mass extinctions. The study suggests that Earth's carbon cycle determines the magnitude of disruption, with external inputs influencing surges resulting from mass extinctions.
Tropical Cyclone 04W was torn apart by strong windshear in the Northwestern Pacific. The storm's remnants continue to move northwest and dissipate.
Researchers at Shinshu University have discovered acid hydrolysis of vinyl polymer breaking down into salicylic acid and acetic acid, forming the basis for aspirin production. This innovative process has the potential to recycle vinyl on an industrial scale, reducing plastic waste and its environmental impact.
Walter Munk, a renowned oceanographer, has been honored with the establishment of the Walter Munk Scholar Award by the Marine Technology Society and the Walter Munk Foundation for the Oceans. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in ocean science, technology, exploration, or conservation.
Dr. Lindstrom's leadership in combining space and in-situ systems has facilitated large ocean field campaigns, while fostering international collaborations to study the ocean's role in the global climate system. He has also supported early career scientists through initiatives like MPOWIR.
A team of researchers from Japan and the US found that a gassy insulating layer beneath Pluto's icy surface could be protecting an ocean. The simulations showed that without this layer, the ocean would have frozen hundreds of millions of years ago, but with it, it remains liquid for over a billion years.
Tropical Storm Fani exhibited extreme rainfall patterns, with the heaviest downpours occurring south of its center circulation. GPM measurements showed hourly rainfall rates ranging from 1 inch (25 mm) in thunderstorm bands to 1.6 inches (40 mm) per hour in a localized area.
Tropical Cyclone Lorna was torn apart by strong northwesterly wind shear, weakening the storm and causing it to dissipate. The 'extremely high' vertical wind shear environment was hostile to the storm, leading to its rapid demise.
Tropical Cyclone Kenneth, equivalent to a weak Category 4 storm, made landfall in northern Mozambique on April 25, causing widespread destruction and power outages. The storm's remnants may re-emerge over the Mozambique Channel after weakening over land.
Tropical Cyclone Lorna appears to be consolidating and strengthening with a more circular shape, according to NASA data from the Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is expected to move southeast while reaching hurricane strength, before becoming extra-tropical after three days.
Tropical Storm Lorna developed in the Southeastern Indian Ocean on April 23 and received its name on April 24. The storm has tracked east-southeast and is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane, potentially interacting with System 92S.
Tropical Storm Kenneth formed north of Madagascar and east of the Aldabra Atoll, a ring-shaped coral reef. The storm is expected to strengthen over warm sea surface temperatures and make landfall in extreme northern Mozambique on April 25.
A global atlas offers a new way to map coral reefs from space, containing over 65,000 square kilometers of coral reefs and surrounding habitats. The high-resolution maps provide information on shallow water marine habitats, helping track changes in reef composition and structure over time.
Dr. Kelly Dorgan received a CAREER grant to study ecosystem engineering and bioturbation rates in marine sediments. She aims to improve nutrient regeneration and predict bioturbation patterns, benefiting ocean health.
A study proposes a new target for protected areas based on biodiversity outcomes, addressing issues with current targets that focus on quantity rather than quality. The new approach involves systematic monitoring of global sites of biodiversity significance to determine the effectiveness of management practices.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Wallace as it continued to weaken off the coast of Western Australia. Wind shear has pushed the bulk of the system's clouds southeast, tearing the storm apart.
A study published in Marine Policy found that 97% of sharks and rays caught in the Mediterranean and Black seas are not reported, putting them at risk of extinction. The lack of reporting makes it difficult to detect declines and design effective measures to protect threatened species.
Subtropical Cyclone Joaninha was torn apart by strong wind shear in the Southern Indian Ocean, according to NASA. The storm weakened from a maximum sustained wind speed of 35 knots (40 mph) as it moved south-southwest.
Researchers have reconstructed the geological history of a remote sector of the African Rift Valley using fieldwork and numerical modeling. The findings indicate that the rift valley formed around 3.7 million years ago and was short-lived, with deformation migrating westward into the Lake Turkana region.
Tropical Depression 03W has formed near the island of Yap in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. The storm is expected to maintain its general course and speed through the weekend, passing close to Koror on Sunday. Maximum sustained winds remain at 30 mph, with damaging winds expected on the north side of the storm.
Tropical Cyclone Savannah is a low-pressure system strengthening in the Southern Indian Ocean. It will intensify to 80 knots before weakening over the next few days.
Researchers analyzed ancient ocean fossils to understand ecological transformation after mass extinctions. The study found that survivors shared similar traits with predecessors, but had a surge in modern traits like mobility and diverse feeding habits, driving recovery.
Tropical Cyclone Idai was spotted in the Mozambique Channel by NASA's Terra satellite on March 12. The cyclone maintained a well-defined eye despite high clouds and was forecast to intensify before making landfall near Beira, Mozambique.
Tropical Cyclone Haleh is being affected by northerly wind shear, causing it to weaken. The storm has maximum sustained winds of near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) and is forecast to turn to the north-northeast.
Tropical Cyclone Haleh is weakening due to moderate to strong vertical wind shear, causing its elongation and eventual transition into an extra-tropical storm. The storm has decreased maximum sustained winds to 75 knots (86 mph/139 kph) and is forecast to continue weakening in two days.
Scientists found that wind stress and its curl are key factors in simulating the Pacific North Equatorial Countercurrent. Weak biases in these models affect tropical surface currents and climate simulations.
A new study forecasts changes in fisheries productivity due to ocean warming, with some species expected to thrive and others decline. The research evaluated 235 marine species and found that temperature-driven changes will affect different species differently.
Wutip's weakening was caused by vertical wind shear and cooler waters, which knocked out the storm's winds. The depression is expected to make a turn toward the west with decreased forward speed over the next 24 hours.
A new study found that achieving the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degrees Celsius warming target could increase global fishers' revenues and seafood workers' income, while reducing household expenditures. The largest gains would occur in developing countries, with a projected 6.5% increase in top revenue-generating fish species globally.
Typhoon Wutip weakened rapidly from a super typhoon to a typhoon due to wind shear, with its eye clouded over in a visible image captured by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite. The storm is forecast to further weaken and potentially become a depression by February 28 or March 1.
Tropical Cyclone Oma is a large hurricane with a well-defined eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The system struggled to intensify due to its large size, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center.
Tropical Cyclone Oma brought strong thunderstorms and powerful winds to New Caledonia, located east of Australia, on February 19. The storm's eye was surrounded by the southern Pacific Ocean, with the northern tip of the island near its eyewall.
Tropical Cyclone Oma has been located northwest of the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, prompting heavy rainfall and flash flooding warnings for several provinces. The satellite imagery revealed a large area of powerful thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center.
NASA's Terra satellite captured visible imagery of Tropical Storm Gelena in the Southern Indian Ocean on Feb 13. The storm was centered near 26 degrees north latitude and 79 degrees east longitude, with maximum sustained winds near 55 knots.
Tropical Cyclone Gelena is being weakened due to strong westerly winds and wind shear, causing its rotation to be skewed. The storm is expected to dissipate in two days as it moves over cooler sea surface temperatures.
Wind shear weakened Tropical Cyclone Gelena to a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph. Forecasters predict dissipation of the storm by February 14, three days from observation.
Tropical Cyclone Funani's strongest rains wrapped around the center and extended northwest, with heaviest rainfall found around the center and a fragmented band of thunderstorms northwest. Rainfall rates reached up to 13 mm per hour, as the storm continued to move southeast towards Mauritius.
Tropical Cyclone Gelena's coldest cloud top temperatures were recorded in the northwestern quadrant, indicating high rain-generating clouds. Maximum sustained winds near 105 knots (121 mph) are forecast to strengthen and then weaken within 24 hours.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Funani revealing a small pinhole eye surrounded by powerful thunderstorms. The storm rapidly intensified into a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 115 knots.
Researchers are unsure if microplastics cause harm to people as they accumulate in the body and organs, with varying effects depending on composition and additives. Microplastics have been identified in human feces, raising concerns about potential health risks.
Tropical Cyclone Gelena intensified rapidly after its formation as Tropical Depression 13S. The storm developed a cloud-filled eye and bands of thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center, according to NASA's Aqua satellite imagery.
Tropical Cyclone 12S has developed in the Southern Indian Ocean, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing its formation on Feb. 5, 2019. The storm is expected to strengthen into a hurricane-force storm by Feb. 7, affecting the Republic of Mauritius.
Tropical Cyclone Riley was affected by easterly wind shear, which pushed clouds and storms west of its center. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument captured a visible image of the storm on January 29, 2019.
New research shows climate change is shifting how the atmosphere and oceans move heat around the globe, with significant effects on global temperatures. The study found that warming temperatures are driving increased heat transfer in the atmosphere, while reducing it in the ocean.