Category: Environment

Rare Steller’s Sea Eagle Spotted a Long Way from Home

12/22/2021 - TAUNTON RIVER, Mass. (AP) — A long way from its home in Asia, a rare Steller’s sea eagle was spotted by 200 bird watchers around Taunton River, Massachusetts on Monday. The eagle is reportedly the same one that went off course a year ago and has been spotted in Alaska… SEE MORE

New Research Finds Salt May Be Key to Predicting Hurricane Intensity

12/20/2021 - By Mike Schuler. It’s no secret that salt has played an outsized role throughout human history. Now, new research conducted by NOAA, with the help from Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles, says the element could potentially lead to improved forecasts of the most dangerous hurricanes. While NOAA has made steady progress… SEE MORE

Chapoquoit Beach, West Falmouth in Winter

What’s the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?

12/19/2021 - By Alison Eldridge. You may know that the solstices and equinoxes signal the changing of the seasons on Earth, but do you remember which is which? Are they just different names for the same thing? Actually, a solstice and an equinox are sort of opposites. The seasons on Earth change because the planet is… SEE MORE

https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/news/1128/december-2019-the-next-full-moon-is-the-cold-moon/

Last Full Moon of 2021 Rises Just Before Winter Solstice

12/18/2021 - By Steve Novak. The moon gave us a few reasons to look up in 2021. There were supermoons and a lunar eclipse in the spring. A partial solar eclipse in June. A clear view of another lunar eclipse in November. This weekend, the last full moon of 2021 will illuminate one of the year’s longest nights. The next full… SEE MORE

New Right Whale Slow Zone East of Ocean City, Maryland

12/16/2021 - On December 11, 2021, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's acoustic array detected the presence of right whales east of Ocean City, Maryland. A VOLUNTARY Right Whale Slow Zone is in effect immediately and expires on December 26, 2021. Mariners are requested to avoid or transit at 10 knots or less… SEE MORE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Commons

Manatee Feeding Program Ready as Winter Tests Survival

12/16/2021 - By Curt Anderson. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — As winter approaches Florida, a pilot feeding plan could save many manatees from starvation — but they will still face the long-term threat of manmade water pollution stifling their food supply, wildlife officials said Wednesday. The slow-moving marine mammals will soon begin… SEE MORE

Rising with the Tide: Keeping Our Communities Above Water Q&A

12/14/2021 - US Harbors recently hosted "Rising with the Tide: Keeping Our Communities Above Water"; a free conference for coastal communities. Our panel of experts included John Englander, Renee Collini, David Wolcott, Joseph Sutkowi, Gayle Bowness, Heiko Udluft and Nicole Elko. During the conference we discussed pressing issues facing our coastal communities:… SEE MORE

Rain, Snow Fall as California Braces for Brunt of Storm

12/13/2021 - By Felicia Fonseca. The Western U.S. is bracing for the brunt of a major winter storm expected to hit Monday, bringing travel headaches, the threat of localized flooding and some relief in an abnormally warm fall. Light rain and snow fell in Northern California on Sunday, giving residents a taste… SEE MORE

California

Celebrate a day dedicated to promoting awareness and preserving our coral reefs.

Coral Evolution Tweaked for Climate Change

12/9/2021 - By Caleb Jones. On a moonless summer night in Hawaii, krill, fish and crabs swirl through a beam of light as two researchers peer into the water above a vibrant reef. Minutes later, like clockwork, they see eggs and sperm from spawning coral drifting past their boat. They scoop up… SEE MORE

Storm Sweeps Hawaii, Brings Threat of ‘Catastrophic’ Floods

12/7/2021 - By Caleb Jones. HONOLULU (AP) — A strong storm packing high winds and extremely heavy rain flooded roads and knocked out power across Hawaii, with officials warning Monday of potentially worse conditions ahead. The National Weather Service said the storm brings the threat of “catastrophic flooding” in the coming days… SEE MORE