In the News Archive

...Which is a way of saying: a lot of people ask what it takes to make it rain in California, and the answer relies on a bewildering variety of inputs, some of them very complex and very far away. One of the most intriguing, and least understood, is a weather phenomenon called the Madden-Julian Oscillation, or MJO. Chidong Zhang is featured. 

TheLog NewsCast Ep. 3: Katherine interviewed three experts about a recent study published on Feb. 1 by  Plos Climate and written by Kisei R. Tanaka, and Kyle S.Van Houtan found more than half of the planet’s ocean surface has regularly surpassed historical extreme heat thresholds starting in 2014. To gain a better understanding Katherine spoke with Dr. Gregory Johnson from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, Anna Marie Laura Director of International Government Relations at Ocean Conservancy, and President and CEO of Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach Dr. Peter Kareiva. Each expert brings insight to the study and an in-depth explanation of what the world can expect. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released a simulation of last month’s tsunami that triggered warnings in Humboldt County and around the Pacific. The “tsunami propagation” animation, put together by the Tsunami Research NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, shows tsunami waves and ocean disruption produced by the massive volcanic eruption on the uninhabited South Pacific island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha‘apai on January 15.

(Inside Science) -- As the sun rises over the island of American Samoa, a chorus of animal voices drifts upward. They're not the calls of birds, though -- the purrs, clicks and groans are coming from under the water. New research shows how automation can make it increasingly easy to eavesdrop on the fish making the sounds and uncover how their environment impacts them. Jill Munger is quoted. 

Expect less snowfall over the Himalayas, but intense cold waves in north India this winter, warn climate scientists. The reason: The development of La Nina for the second consecutive year, which is expected to last through early 2022, influencing temperature and precipitation. Michael McPhaden is referenced. 

The year in ocean news brought about quite a few surprises, including the discovery of a self-decapitating sea slug and the return to popularity of sea shanties. We learned that whales poop a lot more than previously thought and that their excrement is essential for ocean ecosystems, and that even large sharks can glow. Technology allowed us to reach the deepest depths of the oceans, travel to the eye of a hurricane and a whole lot more. The Saildrone/PMEL/AOML Atlantinc Hurricane Mission is listed. 

The explosions, identified during the 2018 eruption phase, offer a clear acoustic signal that researchers could use to measure ocean properties. Bob Dziak is quoted. 

After sending a fleet of self-sailing drones into the path of Hurricane Sam to help improve forecast models, Saildrone has now launched three uncrewed surface vehicles into the Gulf Stream winter to gather data on carbon uptake in the ocean. PMEL designed ASVCO2 system is mentioned. 

The Arctic Ocean has been warming since the onset of the 20th century, decades earlier than instrument observations would suggest, according to new research. James Overland is quoted. 

Researchers are predicting low fish runs in the Norton Sound and Northern Bering Sea region again next year, according to research biologist Jim Murphy. EcoFOCI research cruise is mentioned. 

Robert Dziak, a scientist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, who is based at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, has wanted to find out if trees in Oregon were affected by the 1700 earthquake and tsunami for the last decade, according to an Oregon State University press release.

While scientists can’t say whether a given weather phenomenon has been modified in any way by climate change without some analysis first, the effects of climate change have also been becoming more and more pronounced – sometimes to the point where they’re too obvious to overlook. Michael McPhaden is quoted. 

For the first time, a surface drone captured footage of a Category 4 hurricane’s 50-foot waves and 120-mph winds. Chris Meinig is quoted. 

A new study showed nighttime air in the western U.S. is getting drier and warmer, potentially prolonging fire activity. Andy Chiodi is quoted. 

Local evidence of the cataclysm has literally washed away over the years. But Oregon’s Douglas firs may have recorded clues deep in their tree rings. Bob Dziak is quoted. 

Scientists at Oregon State University are troubled by the levels of hypoxia off the Pacific Northwest coastal line. Richard Feely and NOAA webstory is referenced.