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All explainers

Marine animals, including humpback whales, use underwater sound to communicate, navigate, find food and mates, and avoid predators.

Soundcheck: Ocean noise

December 1, 2016

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Marine animals, including humpback whales, use underwater sound to communicate, navigate, find food and mates, and avoid predators.

The largest marine oil spill in U.S. history occurred on April 20, 2010 when the BP oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded killing 11 workers and spilling more than 134,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Oil spills: A major marine ecosystem threat

July 25, 2016

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The largest marine oil spill in U.S. history occurred on April 20, 2010 when the BP oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded killing 11 workers and spilling more than 134,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Earth Day image - Earth in water drop on a leaf.

America’s water challenges: Science helps get the most out of every drop

July 11, 2016

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Earth Day image - Earth in water drop on a leaf.

Powerful eruption from the surface of the sun captured on June 20, 2013.

Space weather: Storms from the Sun

June 23, 2016

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Powerful eruption from the surface of the sun captured on June 20, 2013.

A 231-foot hydrographic survey vessel with the NOAA emblem on its bow plows through the water with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Arctic charting: Mapping a new frontier

June 21, 2016

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charts and maps

nautical charts and maps

A 231-foot hydrographic survey vessel with the NOAA emblem on its bow plows through the water with snow-covered mountains in the background.

Lake Oroville, the second-largest state reservoir in northern California, experienced low water levels during the recent exceptional California drought.

Drought in America: Slow moving, far reaching

June 15, 2016

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Lake Oroville, the second-largest state reservoir in northern California, experienced low water levels during the recent exceptional California drought.

The Point Arena lighthouse watches over the northern part of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Greater Farallones expanded in 2015 to encompass more than 3,000 square miles off the coast of California, including the rich upwelling zone that originates off of Point Arena and flows south.

How does NOAA designate a national marine sanctuary?

June 1, 2016

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The Point Arena lighthouse watches over the northern part of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. Greater Farallones expanded in 2015 to encompass more than 3,000 square miles off the coast of California, including the rich upwelling zone that originates off of Point Arena and flows south.

A National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, Oklahoma, tracks a super cell tornado outbreak.

Improving weather forecasts

May 11, 2016

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A National Weather Service meteorologist in Norman, Oklahoma, tracks a super cell tornado outbreak.

Recreational fishing for species such as swordfish is a major industry in the U.S.

Sustaining our nation’s fisheries

May 3, 2016

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Recreational fishing for species such as swordfish is a major industry in the U.S.

Satellite view of 2011 massive Lake Erie algal bloom, caused chiefly by phosphate runoff from agricultural fertilizer.

What is a harmful algal bloom?

April 27, 2016

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harmful algal blooms (HABs)

Satellite view of 2011 massive Lake Erie algal bloom, caused chiefly by phosphate runoff from agricultural fertilizer.