The global ocean chlorophyll archive produced by the CZCS was revised using compatible algorithms with SeaWiFS. Both archives were then blended with in situ data to reduce residual errors. This methodology permitted a quantitative comparison of decadal changes in global ocean chlorophyll from the CZCS (1979 - 1986) and SeaWiFS (1997 - 2000) records. Global spatial distributions and seasonal variability of ocean chlorophyll were similar, but global means decreased over the two observational segments. Major changes were observed regionally: chlorophyll concentrations decreased in the northern high latitudes while chlorophyll in the low latitudes increased. Mid-ocean gyres exhibited limited changes. The overall spatial and seasonal similarity of the two data records suggests that the changes are due to natural variability. These results provide evidence of how the Earths climate may be changing and how ocean biota respond.
This page describes El Nino and the Southern Oscillation and how they may contribute to severe weather and the destruction of sensitive ecosystems such as coral reefs. It features text, pictures, scientific illustrations, and links to satellite information and weather-related science activities.
This animation from The New Media Studio illustrates how the atmosphere and ocean together shape wind, current, and rainfall patterns in the tropical Pacific.
This video segment adapted from the NOW-RAMP 2002 Expedition documents a research expedition to Pearl and Hermes Atoll in Hawai`i. Watch as biologists assess the bird and plant populations and then work to eradicate invasive species.
Learn how plate tectonics plays a critical role in shaping the onshore and offshore terrain around La Jolla.Ę Dr. Neal Driscoll will present new offshore data illustrating the interplay between sediments, tectonics and sea level. (56 minutes)
A group of Scripps graduate researchers recently returned from a 20-day expedition to the ŇGreat Pacific Garbage Patch,Ó a little-studied remote ocean region where plastic debris accumulates. Join Miriam Goldstein, chief scientist on the cruise, and colleagues Pete Davison and Chelsea Rochman, as they discuss the garbage patch, why itŐs there, and how they are exploring and analyzing the problem of plastic in the North Pacific Ocean. (50 minutes)
In this video segment adapted from Bullfrog Films, a local climatologist talks about the Pacific island of Samoa, which is under threat from an increasing number of intense storms possibly related to global warming.
The El Nino-La Nina event in 1997-1999 was particularly intense, but was also very well observed by satellites and buoys. Changes in the normal height of the oceans surface were computed from TOPEX-Poseidon altimeter data.
The El Nino-La Nina event in 1997-1999 was particularly intense, but was also very well observed by satellites and buoys. A strong upwelling of unusually warm water was observed in the Pacific Ocean during the El Nino phase, followed by unusually cold water in the La Nina phase. The Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) instrument on the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations NOAA-14 spacecraft observed the changes in sea surface temperature shown here.
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