Sound Waves Newsletter - July-September 2015
Coastal erosion threatens habitat and infractructure, climate change reduces coral reefs’ ability to protect coasts, polar bears unlikely to thrive on land-based foods when forced off sea ice, and more in this July-September 2015 issue of Sound Waves.
Climate Change Reduces Coral Reefs’ Ability to Protect Coasts
Climate change may reduce the ability of coral reefs to protect tropical islands against wave attack, erosion, and salinization of the drinking-water resources that help to sustain life on those islands. A new paper by researchers from Deltares and the USGS gives guidance to coastal managers to assess how climate change will affect a coral reef's ability to mitigate coastal hazards.
Polar Bears Forced on Shore by Sea-Ice Loss Are Unlikely to Thrive on Land-Based Foods
Two studies by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) suggest a rough outlook for polar bears as climate warming continues to reduce sea ice in the Arctic.
Many Dry Tortugas Loggerheads Are Actually Bahamas Residents
Many loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) that nest in Dry Tortugas National Park head to rich feeding sites in the Bahamas after nesting, a discovery that may help those working to protect this threatened species.
USGS Oceanographer Participating on Collaborative U.S. and Canadian Research Cruise in the Davis Strait between Greenland and Canada
USGS scientist Lisa Robbins is aboard the research vessel (R/V) Atlantis in the Davis Strait near the Arctic Circle.
by Kira Barerra
Detailed Flood Information Key to More Reliable Coastal Storm Impact Estimates
A new study that looked in part at how damage estimates evolve following a storm puts the total amount of building damage caused by Hurricane Sandy for all evaluated counties in New York at $23 billion. Estimates of damage by county ranged from $380 million to $5.9 billion.
USGS Underwater Coral Photo Selected as Popular Photography’s “Photo of the Day”
An underwater coral photograph taken by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research geologist Curt Storlazzi in Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, was chosen by Popular Photography magazine as its Photo of the Day for August 3, 2015.
New Marine Facility Chief for the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Jenny White is the new Marine Operations Superintendent for the Marine Facility (MarFac) at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center in Santa Cruz, California.
George Tate Retires from the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Geologist and engineer George Tate retires after many years of service to the USGS.
Recent Publications - July-September 2015
List of recent USGS publications based on coastal and marine research.