PMEL in the News
Geologists: Cluster of earthquakes common off Oregon coast
COOS BAY, Ore. — When the earth shakes off the Oregon coast, geologists say it's a reminder to be prepared. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, last week dozens of earthquakes rumbled near the Blanco Fracture Zone in a matter of days. Bob Dziak is quoted.
Dungeness crab dying amid low oxygen levels linked to climate change
...Not too far down the coast, piles of dead Dungeness crab washed ashore on Kalaloch Beach this summer. Meanwhile, fishers have shared stories about hoisting up dead or suffocating crabs in their pots, said Jenny Waddell, research ecologist with the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary. Now, scientists are working to understand how climate change is affecting Dungeness crab, which is both culturally significant and a pillar of Washington’s seafood industry. PMEL's Richard Feely is quoted.
The Autonomous Ocean
Gliders, saildrones, Argo floats, and self-driving submarines: meet the new generation of robots that are testing technical boundaries and changing the face of oceanography. Greg Johnson is quoted in the "Argo Innovations" side bar in Chapter 3.
La Niña sea temperatures driving floods in Australia and drought in the United States and Africa
Right now, a broad plume of cool water has pooled in the Pacific Ocean, west of South America. It's the signature of La Niña. While Australia waits to see whether La Niña will be declared, the United States has already called it, using slightly less stringent criteria. Mike McPhaden is featured.
USV returns from first caldera survey in Tonga loaded with 'astounding' data
SEA-KIT International’s Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) Maxlimer has returned from an initial survey mission inside the caldera of the Hunga-Tonga Hunga-Ha'apai (HT–HH) volcano carrying a plethora of data and imagery to fill important gaps in current understanding and knowledge of the seamount and water above it. Sharon Walker is quoted.