Ocean Facts

• Why are scientists concerned about Asian tiger shrimp? April 27, 2012
  Research is underway to determine if invasive Asian tiger shrimp in U.S. Atlantic waters pose a threat to native species or the environment. Asian tiger shrimp are native to Indo-Pacific, Asian, and Australian waters, but are now found along the southeast and Gulf coasts of the United States. While small numbers of this invasive species have been reported in […]
• What is a perigean spring tide? April 3, 2012
  A perigean spring tide occurs when the moon is new or full and closest to Earth Around three or four times a year (in the spring and the fall), the new or full moon coincides closely in time with the perigee of the moon—the point when the moon is closest to the planet. These occurrences are often called 'perigean spring tides.' The difference betwe […]
• What is sea foam? March 8, 2012
  If you scoop up some water from the ocean in a clear glass and look at it closely, you'll see that it's chock full of tiny particles. Sea water contains dissolved salts, proteins, fats, dead algae, and a bunch of other bits and pieces of organic matter. If you shake this glass of ocean water vigorously, small bubbles will form on the surface of the […]
• How big is the Atlantic Ocean? February 21, 2012
  The Atlantic Ocean covers an area of approximately 41,105,000 square miles (106,460,000 square kilometers). Covering approximately 20 percent of the Earth’s surface, the Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean basin in the world, following only the Pacific. However, it is only slightly larger than half the size of the Pacific Ocean. The Atlantic Ocean lie […]
• What is a datum? February 1, 2012
  Datums are the basis for all geodetic survey work A geodetic datum is an abstract coordinate system with a reference surface (such as sea level) that serves to provide known locations to begin surveys and create maps. In this way, datums act similar to starting points when you give someone directions. For instance, when you want to tell someone how to get to […]
• What is the Sargasso Sea? January 25, 2012
  The Sargasso Sea, located entirely within the Atlantic Ocean, is the only sea without a land boundary The Sargasso Sea is a vast patch of ocean is named for a genus of free-floating seaweed called Sargassum. While there are many different types of algae found floating in the ocean all around world, the Sargasso Sea is unique in that it harbors species of sar […]
• How do we forecast harmful algal blooms? January 6, 2012
  NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System in the Gulf of Mexico identifies whether or not a bloom of algae is likely to contain a toxic species, where it is, how big it is, where it's headed, and if it could become more severe in the near future. Like a weather forecast, this system provides officials advance warning to test and close […]
• What are Christmas tree worms? December 22, 2011
  You won't find Spirobranchus giganteus, also known as the Christmas tree worm, eating your fir tree this year. The common name for these worms is derived from their appearance, not their habitat or diet. Each worm has two brightly colored crowns that protrude from its tube-like body. These Christmas tree-like crowns are composed of radioles, or hair-lik […]
• Does coral jewelry make a good gift? December 15, 2011
  Corals have long been popular as souvenirs, for home decor, and in jewelry, but many consumers are unaware that these beautiful structures are made by living creatures. Fewer still realize that corals are dying off at alarming rates around the world. Coral reefs are some of the most biologically rich and economically valuable ecosystems on Earth, but they ar […]
• Will debris from the Japan tsunami reach the U.S.? December 14, 2011
  For most areas it could be a matter of years, not days or weeks, before debris from the Japanese tsunami reaches the United States. The debris clumped together when it first washed into the ocean, but it has since dispersed, making it difficult to locate. This makes it hard for scientists to tell what types of debris are still afloat and how much of it will […]
• What is the cryosphere? November 30, 2011
  The cryosphere is the frozen water part of the Earth system There are places on Earth that are so cold that water is frozen solid. These areas of snow or ice, which are subject to temperatures below 0°C for at least part of the year, compose the cryosphere. The term “cryosphere” comes from the Greek word, “krios,” which means cold. Ice and snow on land are o […]
• Where do I get NOAA tides and currents data? November 29, 2011
  Tide and current data is available from NOAA's Center for Operational Products and Services website Tides Tide Predictions. Generate a graphical display or a tabular listing of daily high and low tide predictions for more than 3,000 locations around the nation. Predictions may be generated up to two years in advance. Real-Time Tide Data. Access current […]