Archive for January, 2015

January 2015 Noreaster

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From Jan. 28-29, NOS's National Geodetic Survey (NGS) collected damage assessment imagery in the aftermath of the Jan. 2015 Nor'easter that blanketed the region in snow and caused significant storm surge along the New England coast. NGS imagery covered coastal portions of New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts.

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Monitor National Marine Sanctuary celebrates 40 years

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January 30, 2015, marks the 40th anniversary of the nation's first national marine sanctuary—created not to protect marine life, but to preserve an important Civil War-era shipwreck.

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Scientists investigate link between skyrocketing sea slug populations, warming seas

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A team of California scientists believes a far-flung Okenia rosacea bloom -- along with a slew of other marine species spotted north of their typical ranges -- may signal a much larger shift in ocean climate and a strong forthcoming El Niño....

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Where did the missing oil go? New study says some is sitting on the Gulf floor

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Some 6 million to 10 million gallons of oil from the BP oil spill are buried in the sediment on the Gulf floor, about 62 miles southeast of the Mississippi Delta, researchers have discovered....

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Our seas are in trouble: Extinction risk for 20-25% of well-known marine species

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Overfishing, pollution, climate change and destruction of habitats like coral reefs are all putting our seas in trouble but academics fear the risk is not being taken as seriously as concerns for the loss of animals and plants which live on land, experts say. Using the most comprehensive conservation data available for both marine and non-marine organisms, new research has shown that 20 to 25 per cent of the well-known species living in our seas are now threatened with extinction -- the same figure as land living plants and animals....

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Erratic as normal: Arctic sea ice loss expected to be bumpy in the short term

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Arctic sea ice extent plunged precipitously from 2001 to 2007, then barely budged between 2007 and 2013. Even in a warming world, researchers should expect such unusual periods of no change -- and rapid change -- at the world's northern reaches, according to a new paper....

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Ocean waves used to monitor offshore oil and gas fields

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An ew technique exploits naturally occurring seismic waves to probe seafloor at less expense, and with fewer ill effects on marine life, scientists report....

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Smothered oceans: Extreme oxygen loss in oceans accompanied past global climate change

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From the subarctic Pacific to the Chilean margins, extreme oxygen loss is stretching from the upper ocean to about 3,000 meters deep. In some oceanic regions, such loss occurred within 100 years or less, according to a new study....

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Nordic marine scientists: Showcasing growing pressure on oceans?

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A group of 13 scientists argue that the Nordic countries are in a unique position to showcase how to handle the growing pressure on the oceans. However, this relies on a collective ability to regard change as connected....

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Slope on ocean surface lowers sea level in Europe

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A ‘slope’ on the ocean surface in the Strait of Gibraltar is lowering the sea level in Europe by 7cm, researchers have discovered. This research will help to more accurately predict future sea levels by providing a more complete understanding of the factors that control it....

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