Archive for February, 2009

What’s the difference between an ocean and a sea?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 25 February, 2009
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Seas are smaller than oceans and are usually located where the land and ocean meet. Typically, seas are partially enclosed by land.    More

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What are the seven seas?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 25 February, 2009
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The Seven Seas include the Arctic, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans. The origins of the phrase 'Seven Seas' can be traced to ancient times.    More

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Celebrating 15 Years of the CORS Program

Posted by nos.info@noaa.gov on 23 February, 2009
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The National Geodetic Survey is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) program. This program helps scientists and others monitor our ever changing planet by providing highly accurate positioning information....

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What percentage of marine areas are protected?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 18 February, 2009
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There are over 1,700 marine protected areas (MPAs) in the United States established by federal, state, and territorial governments. These areas cover 34 percent of U.S. marine waters.    More

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Where can I get tide predictions?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 18 February, 2009
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To access tidal predictions for 2009, as well as 2008 — 2004, visit the CO-OPS Water Level Tidal Predictions Web page.    More

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What is an iceberg?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 18 February, 2009
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To be classified as an iceberg, the height of the ice must be greater than 16 feet (five meters) above sea level and the thickness must be 98-164 feet (30-50 meters) and the ice must cover an area of at least 5,382 square feet (500 square meters).   More

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Summit Sets Stage for West Coast Harmful Algal Bloom Response Network, Forecasting System

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 18 February, 2009
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Experts from NOAA joined a group of eighty scientists, managers, and industry representatives from California, Oregon, and Washington at the first West Coast Regional Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Summit in Portland, Oregon, February 10-12. At the meeting, the representatives endorsed a regional harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring, alert and response network and forecasting system....

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What is a hydrothermal vent?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 13 February, 2009
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Underwater volcanoes at spreading ridges and convergent plate boundaries produce hot springs known as hydrothermal vents. Scientists first discovered hydrothermal vents in 1977 while exploring an oceanic spreading ridge near the Galapagos Islands.   More

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What is an extremophile?

Posted by Ocean Facts on 13 February, 2009
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"Extremophiles" are microorganisms with the ability to thrive in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents.   More

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NOS responds to U.S. Airways Flight 1549 crash

Posted by nos.web@noaa.gov on 4 February, 2009
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At 3:31 PM on January 15, 2009, U.S. Airways Flight 1549, an Airbus A320 commercial passenger plane, made an emergency water landing on the Hudson River, on the West Side of Manhattan in New York City. The National Ocean Service was at the ready, supporting passenger rescue, assessing risk of contamination to the environment, and helping to survey the cold and icy river for the wreckage of the plane....

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