Ocean science news, explainers, and statistics covering marine environments, currents, climate, coasts, seafloor research, and the changing global ocean.
A nautical mile is a unit of distance used for travel on water and in the air. One international nautical mile equals exactly 1,852 meters, or about 1.1508 statute miles. Mariners and pilots use it because nautical charts are organized around latitude and longitude, making the unit convenient for measuring routes across the curved surface…
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A king tide is a popular name for an exceptionally high tide. The term has no formal scientific category or worldwide threshold. The highest predicted tides usually occur when the sun, moon and Earth are nearly aligned, often near the time when the moon is closest to Earth. Local coastline shape and seasonal water levels…
A meteotsunami is a tsunami-like wave generated by a fast-moving disturbance in air pressure and wind, usually connected to thunderstorms, squall lines, or other weather systems. The atmospheric disturbance transfers energy into the water and coastal depth or harbor shape can amplify the wave. Meteotsunamis occur on ocean coasts and in large lakes. NOAA’s meteotsunami…
A living shoreline protects an eroding coast with native plants and other natural materials, sometimes supported by oyster reefs, rock sills, or anchored wood. It keeps a working connection between land and water while slowing waves and holding sediment. The approach is mainly designed for sheltered coasts such as bays, estuaries and tributaries, where wave…
