The ocean is home to millions of different forms of life — yet we know surprisingly little about the creatures that live right along our shores, how they interact with each other, or how they're changing as the ocean environment they live in changes. In this podcast, hear how the U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network aims to change that.
Aquaculture. Hurricanes. Wetland benefits. Marine debris. Ports. Tidal flooding. Get "Fast Facts" on these and many other topics from NOAA's Office for Coastal Management. Discover a wealth of demographic and economic information that is quick to read, easy to digest, and easy to grab-and-go. Get the information you need — fast!
Some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world are located in the Gulf of Mexico, miles off the coast of Texas and Louisiana. Rising atop vast salt domes, three beautiful reefs – East and West Flower Garden Banks and Stetson Bank – are protected by NOAA’s Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Now, the sanctuary is proposing to expand to protect 14 additional reefs.
We are stronger when we work together. NOAA's Digital Coast provides an exemplary example of this concept. By providing information on this shared platform, all of our products and services have the potential to be seen (and used!) by a much broader audience. This month, I take a look at how collaborative efforts can achieve impactful results.
Throughout 2020, NOAA is celebrating 50 years of science, service and stewardship. Since its inception on October 3, 1970, NOAA has become one of the world’s premier science agencies with a mission that spans from the surface of the sun to the floor of the ocean. See where we’ve been and where we’re going at www.noaa.gov/50-years.
There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. View our bulletin to see when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between March and May 2020.
The word “plankton” comes from the Greek for “drifter” or “wanderer.” An organism is considered plankton if it is carried by tides and currents, and cannot swim well enough to move against these forces. Some plankton drift this way for their entire life cycle. Others are only classified as plankton when they are young, but they eventually grow large enough to swim against the currents.
NOAA was on the scene of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill from the earliest moments of the crisis in April 2010. Now, ten years later, we look at a few examples of how lessons learned during and research following Deepwater Horizon have better prepared the agency to provide expert scientific support for future events.
Immerse yourself in the ocean and your national marine sanctuaries without getting wet. Explore virtual reality voyages that use 360-degree images to highlight the amazing habitats, animals, and cultural resources found in each national marine sanctuary. Select which sanctuary you want to visit, scroll through the gallery, and click on a panorama to start your dive!
Ten years ago, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the tragic loss of human life and an unprecedented impact to the Gulf’s coastal resources and the people who depend on them. This month, NOS's Office of Response and Restoration looks back at our country’s largest marine oil spill, what’s happened since then, and how we’re better prepared for future spills.
The National Geodetic Survey has been measuring land to determine points on the ground and the angles, distances, and heights between them since the 1800s. To do this accurately, you have to understand the force of gravity. We talk with a NOAA geodesist to understand what gravity is, why and how it changes, and what it means for NOAA.
The world's coastal ecosystems — coastal salt marshes, mangrove forests, and seagrass meadows — are incredibly efficient at capturing and storing large quantities of carbon. These types of habitat are known as carbon sinks and contain large stores of carbon accumulated over hundreds to thousands of years. Get to know coastal blue carbon.
