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NOAA FISHERIES CORAL STUDY
In 1942, the tanker SS Gulfoil was torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico; nearly 70 years later, NOAA found its wreck covered in Lophelia coralThe SS Gulfoil, a World War II tanker, has transformed into a stunning coral reef over the years. After resting on the seabed for decades, ...
In the 1950s, U.S. nuclear tests were conducted at Bikini and Enewetak; decades later, Guam corals preserved carbon-14 spikes linked to tests in 1954, 1956, and 1958Guam’s coral reefs act as natural historians, chronicling chemical footprints of Cold War-era nuclear tests. Distinct radiocarbon spikes fr...
In 2024, scientists found that clownfish use white stripes to spot rivals; the fish attacked most when intruders matched their three-stripe patternClownfish are anything but friendly when it comes to defending their homes, showcasing a fierce loyalty to their anemone habitats. They hav...
NASA warns of more coastal flooding in the 2030s: How the Moon’s 18.6-year cycle could bring floods on clear, calm daysAs we approach the 2030s, coastal regions are projected to experience a surge in high-tide flooding, exacerbated by a natural lunar cycle. ...
In 2014, Maine began developing a fish elevator to carry American shad past Milford Dam. 12 years later, the system could reopen 600 miles of river habitat to a fish whose migration has been blocked for decadesA Maine fish elevator could reopen 600 miles of river habitat for alewives, giving a small fish a much bigger chance to return upstream. Th...
In June 2026, El Niño weakened Pacific trade winds, shutting down nutrient-rich upwelling; satellites then watched phytoplankton decline, threatening anchovies and seabirds as the ocean food chain began to unravelEl Niño has returned to the Pacific Ocean in June 2026, impacting marine ecosystems. Weakened trade winds are reducing nutrient upwelling, ...
Since 1958, tidal groundwater has continued moving beneath Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands, where 85,000 cubic meters of radioactive material rest; now rising Pacific seas are raising questions about the future of the 115-meter-wide structureTidal groundwater moves freely beneath Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands. Built over a nuclear crater, the 115-meter concrete structure ho...
In 2021, Cyprus submerged 93 sculptures to create an underwater forest; concrete trees rise from the seabed at different depthsAn underwater sculpture park in Cyprus offers a unique habitat for marine life. This art installation, MUSAN, features concrete figures and...
In 2023, Georgia sank two retired Atlanta commuter trains; seven months later, divers found corals, fish, and other marine life colonizing the railcarsRetired MARTA train cars were sunk off Georgia's coast to create new reefs. Divers found marine life and coral growth on the cars within se...
In 2019, Jordan sank 19 military machines in the Red Sea, turning retired tanks, cannons, an ambulance, and a combat helicopter into an underwater museum and artificial reefJordan's Aqaba hosts a unique underwater military museum featuring decommissioned vehicles. These sunken machines now serve as artificial r...
In 2016, Turkey deliberately sank an entire Airbus A300, turning a passenger jet into an artificial reef, 75 feet below the surfaceA decommissioned Airbus A300 was deliberately submerged off the coast of Turkey to enhance diving tourism and safeguard marine ecosystems. ...
In 1985, the first invasive lionfish spotted off Florida after aquarium release; in three decades, they spread from Gulf of Mexico to the southern CaribbeanThe invasive lionfish, first introduced in the 1980s, has quickly proliferated across the Western Atlantic, extending its reach from Florid...
By 2015, Georgia had added about 200 retired chicken-transport cages to an offshore reef; the steel structures became fish habitatAlong the stunning coast of Georgia, discarded chicken cages have found a new purpose as artificial reefs. These innovative structures crea...
In 1871, pack ice trapped and crushed 33 American whaling ships off Alaska; 144 years later, NOAA archaeologists found confirmed wreckage in the Chukchi SeaArchaeologists have made an astonishing find: the wreckage of the 1871 whaling fleet buried in Arctic waters. The fleet, claimed by ice, le...
In 1894, two ships collided on Lake Huron, and Ironton sank; 125 years later, researchers found it upright with all three masts still standingThe Ironton shipwreck, discovered by researchers in Lake Huron in 2019, tells a fascinating story from 1894 when it sank after a collision ...
Since 2022, Alaska crews have placed more than 1,000 whole trees in a creek damaged by gold mining, helping restore 2.3 miles of salmon habitatResurrection Creek in Alaska has been revitalized into a thriving river thanks to comprehensive restoration efforts. By introducing entire ...
Since 2016, Alabama has recovered more than 22.6 million discarded oyster shells; the restaurant waste is being returned to coastal waters to help build reefsIn Alabama, restaurants are making waves by recycling oyster shells to bolster crucial reef restoration efforts. These once-discarded shell...
Marine heatwaves a growing threat to physical, mental health of humans: ResearchersMarine heatwaves are having a growing impact on human health in multiple ways. These extreme temperatures can exacerbate storms and raise c...
2026 Super El Niño Forecast: What happens this winter could shock California, here's whyCalifornia anticipates a dangerous winter with record coastal sea levels. A rapidly strengthening El Niño threatens increased flooding and ...
In 1970, US dumped 2 million tires into the ocean; a plan to save marine life turned into one of the biggest environmental blundersIn 1972, more than 2 million old tires were dumped into the Atlantic Ocean off Florida. The goal was simple. Create an artificial reef and ...