Weighing up to 380,000 pounds and stretching some 100 feet long, the blue whale — the largest creature to have ever lived on Earth — might at first seem difficult for human eyes and ears to miss. But a previously unknown population of the leviathans has long been lurking in the Indian Ocean, leaving scientists none the wiser, new research suggests….
Tag: Indian Ocean
Asteroid or space junk? Approaching object might become Earth’s mini-moon
A newly discovered “asteroid” may become a new mini-moon for Earth. Instead of an ordinary asteroid, it might be a lost rocket from the Surveyor 2 mission, launched from Earth more than 50 years ago. Source: https://earthsky.org/space/2020-so-mini-moon-asteroid-or-space-junk…
Mauritius wreck that leaked tons of oil into the sea may soon be sunk to the bottom of the Indian Ocean
Nearly a month after a ship struck a coral reef off the island nation of Mauritius, causing a catastrophic oil spill, tugboats lugged it out to sea where it is now going to be sunk. Source: https://www.livescience.com/mauritius-oil-spill-sinking-ship.html
Massive ‘Darth Vader’ sea bug pulled from waters near Indonesia
A newly described supergiant species of “sea bug” — a marine arthropod known as an isopod — was recently discovered in the Indian Ocean. Source: https://www.livescience.com/supergiant-isopod-newfound-species.html
2019 State of the Climate Report: Peak greenhouse gases and record heat
2019 ranks among the 3 warmest years in records dating to the mid-1800s. In 2019, greenhouse gases reached their highest levels on record. Both facts are from the 30th annual State of the Climate report, a review of world climate based on contributions from more than 520 scientists in over 60 countries. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/international-climate-report-2019-record-heat-greenhouse-gas…
Oil spill off Mauritius is visible from space
The Indian Ocean island nation of Mauritius is on the brink of an environmental catastrophe after a bulk carrier struck a coral reef off its coast in late July, an accident that has led to a large oil spill visible from space. Source: https://www.livescience.com/mauritius-oil-spill-from-space.html
Happy World Oceans Day 2020
Why a World Oceans Day? Consider that Remdesivir, an antiviral medication now undergoing clinical trials as a possible Covid-19 treatment, contains compounds found in sea sponges. Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean is the theme for World Oceans Day 2020. Source: https://earthsky.org/earth/happy-world-oceans-day…
Longing for the sea? Check out these photos
Thanks to all in the EarthSky community who honored World Oceans Day by contributing these awesome photos. Source: https://earthsky.org/todays-image/your-best-ocean-photos…
What a Week’s Disasters Tell Us About Climate and the Pandemic
The hits came this week in rapid succession: A cyclone slammed into the Indian megacity of Kolkata, pounding rains breached two dams in the Midwestern United States, and on Thursday came warning that the Atlantic hurricane season could be severe. It all served as a reminder that the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed 325,000 people so far, is colliding with another…
Giant tectonic plate under Indian Ocean is breaking in two
The India-Australia-Capricorn plate is breaking up at a rate of about 2 millimeters a year. Source: https://www.livescience.com/india-australia-plate-tectonics-break.html