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NOAA awards more than $9.3 million to advance coral reef conservation science and management

October 4, 2019

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Corals thrive and support a wide diversity of reef fish in the sunny, shallow water at Baker reef in the Pacific Remote Islands.

NOAA awards $4.4 million for research on sea level rise and flooding

October 8, 2019

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Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina, during a so-called "king tide." High tide flooding—which causes such public inconveniences as frequent road closures, overwhelmed storm drains and compromised infrastructure—has increased in the U.S. on average by about 50 percent since 20 years ago and 100 percent since 30 years ago.

NOAA announces $15.6 million in grants for Gulf ecosystem research

October 2, 2019

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coastal restoration

habitat restoration

Researchers from Nova Southeastern University recover a MOCNESS midwater trawl system aboard the R/V Point Sur. This sampling gear is used to collect specimens and habitat information in the open ocean waters of the Gulf, from the surface to approximately one-mile depth, home to the majority of the Gulf’s fish diversity. Their work has been partially funded through NOAA grants.

NOAA awards $10.2 million for harmful algal bloom research

October 1, 2019

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Ohio Sea Grant Director Dr. Jeff Reutter, documents an algal bloom in Lake Erie.

When beaches are trashed, who pays the price?

September 26, 2019

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coastal economies

Marine debris washed up on a beach.

NOAA, Energy Department announce competition to power ocean-observing platforms with renewable energy

September 18, 2019

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A NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive buoy uses cell phone and internet technology to share in real-time the Bay’s weather and water conditions with the public. Solar panels keep the buoy’s batteries charged which provide power for the observing sensors and transmission capabilities.

National Estuaries Week gets active

September 12, 2019

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Attendees of a Teachers on the Estuary workshop at Waquoit Bay Reserve demonstrate the new American Sign Language sign for "estuary."

Harmful algal blooms pack a toxic punch. Get regional information here.

September 12, 2019

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Blooms of harmful algae, like this "red tide" off the coast of Texas, can cause illness and death in humans and animals.

Assessing Dorian's damage from the air

September 7, 2019

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coastal communities

NOAA's GOES-East captured this image of Hurricane Dorian on September 6, 2019

Fall 2019 high tide outlook is now available

September 5, 2019

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tides and currents

Downtown Annapolis, Maryland, pictured here in 2012, is one of three major East Coast urban areas already being faced with nuisance flooding in excess of 30 days per year.

View real-time water levels and winds for Hurricane #Dorian

August 29, 2019

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tides and currents

As the forecast track for Hurricane Dorian takes it towards Florida this weekend, it will coincide with higher than normal tides. Potential storm surge occurring on top of these larger high tides could result in coastal flooding.

Expedition reveals coral devastation in remote Pacific marine monument

August 16, 2019

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During a July 2019 expedition, divers observed devastating damage to coral reef sites at Rapture Reef in French Frigate Shoals.

NOAA awards $2.7 million in grants for marine debris removal and research

August 15, 2019

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A marine debris team member gathers a handful of disposable cigarette lighters picked up at a beach cleanup site.

Large ‘dead zone’ measured in Gulf of Mexico

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Scientists collect oxygen measurements to determine the size of this year's dead zone, an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and marine life. This cruise has been performed since 1985, creating an important long term data set for scientists.

Podcast: Heard of meteotsunamis? Tune in to our chat with a NOAA oceanographer

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Stormy weather over the ocean can sometimes fuel the development of meteotsunamis, a series of waves typically much smaller and less destructive than those associated with seismically generated tsunamis.

An update on the ongoing coral disease outbreak in Florida

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A NOAA diver surveys the progression of stony coral tissue loss disease in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, July 2019.

NOAA, partners to report on annual Gulf of Mexico ‘dead zone’ monitoring cruise

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Scientists from LUMCON and NOAA collect oxygen measurements to determine the size of the 2018 Gulf of Mexico dead zone, an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and marine life. This cruise has been performed since 1985, creating an important long term data set for scientists.

Assessing Barry's damage to coastal communities from the air

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NOAA's GOES-East captured this image of Tropical Storm Barry as it approached the Louisana coast on July 12, 2019

Robots probe ocean depths in mission to fine-tune hurricane forecasts

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unmanned underwater vehicles

A NOAA ocean glider, seen in waters off the coast of Puerto Rico in July 2018. These robotic, unmanned gliders are equipped with sensors to measure the salt content (salinity) and temperature as they move through the ocean at different depths. The gliders, which can operate in hurricane conditions, collect data during dives down to a half mile below the sea surface, and transmit the data to satellites when they surface.

NOAA, partners predict large summer harmful algal bloom for western Lake Erie

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

A European Space Agency (ESA) Envisat satellite.image taken on Oct. 8, 2011, using its MERIS sensor, showing harmful algal bloom in the western basin of Lake Erie.

U.S. ties record for number of high tide flooding days in 2018

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High-tide flooding like this, in Charleston, S.C., is becoming increasingly common as sea levels rise.

NOAA designates new national marine sanctuary in Maryland

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Mallows Bay contains more than 100 known and possible shipwrecks.

Experts to summarize 2018 high tide flooding in the U.S., provide 2019 outlook

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High-tide flooding like this, in Charleston, S.C., is becoming increasingly common as sea levels rise.

U.S. ocean economy is growing at a steady pace

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People fishing as Tropical Storm Ana approaches Oceana Pier in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, on May 9, 2019.

Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast on July 11

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

A European Space Agency (ESA) Envisat satellite.image taken on Oct. 8, 2011, using its MERIS sensor, showing harmful algal bloom in the western basin of Lake Erie.

Flow rates for 14-year oil spill in Gulf of Mexico are published in new report

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Drone image of R/V Brooks McCall at MC20 site with rising oil and gas at the surface, September 2018, in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA NCCOS scientists aboard the vessel surveyed the site (September 1–7, 2018) to determine the source, composition, and extent of the oil and gas discharge.

NOAA forecasts very large ‘dead zone’ for Gulf of Mexico

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nutrient pollution and hypoxia

Scientists from LUMCON and NOAA collect oxygen measurements to determine the size of the 2018 Gulf of Mexico dead zone, an area of low oxygen that can kill fish and marine life. This cruise has been performed since 1985, creating an important long term data set for scientists.

June is National Ocean Month: So, how many oceans are there?

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World Ocean Day

Aerial view of the Pacific Ocean.

New online tool helps communities prepare for coastal flooding

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High tide flooding often occurs during so-called "supermoons," when the Moon comes closest to the Earth in its elliptic orbit. The supermoon of Dec. 14, 2016 caused moderate flooding on the streets of Charleston, S.C.

Celebrate our world ocean in June

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Bluefin tuna.

Podcast: Autonomous technology helps predict hurricane intensity

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technology & innovation

Glider.

Sunscreen chemicals, marine life and you: A handy visual guide

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Two free divers gaze at a large grouping of corals.

Small bloom predicted for Gulf of Maine red tide in 2019

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Researchers collect bottom sediment samples from the Gulf of Maine.

NOAA science helps restore coastal places

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coastal restoration

Studying damage to the coast after an oil spill.

15+ great reads for your Earth Day week

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It's not easy being green, but NOAA scientists are working hard on innovative, sustainable solutions for Earth's biggest environmental challenges.