NOAA: Making Waves

Last year, on April 20, an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon MC252 drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico killed eleven people and caused the rig to sink. Then, oil began leaking into the Gulf. Before the wellhead was finally capped in mid-July, almost 5 million barrels of oil were released. Today, we look back at NOAA's role in the Deepwater Horizon spill response--the months when oil was spilling into the Gulf--through the eyes of one of the first NOAA responders to the spill. We're joined by Debbie Payton, chief of the Office of Response and Restoration's Emergency Response Division.

Three stories: (1) A new NOAA-funded study links algae to a harmful estrogen-like compound; (2) a new 'marine etiquette' video is launched for visitors to the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico; (3) NOAA researchers kick off the eighth year of a mission to explore and map underwater realms of the U.S. Caribbean.

This week, we revisit a May 2010 interview with marine biologist Peter Etnoyer. Etnoyer and colleagues published a study last year that found that seamounts -- underwater mountains formed by volcanic activity -- may collectively form one of the largest habitats on Earth, encompassing more of the planet's surface than South America.

International Marine Debris Conference. The Fifth International Marine Debris Conference is set to take place next month from March 20-25 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event is bringing together international marine debris experts from around the world to look at marine debris from a global perspective.

NOAA's new Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center (DRC) is now under construction in Mobile County, Alabama. The Center -- the first of its kind -- promises to change the way people prepare for and respond to the many hard-hitting storms, spills, and other events that too often strike this fragile region. In this episode, we talk with the acting director of the new DRC.

A big part of the Ocean Service's mission is about providing 'navigation services' ... things like measuring tides and currents, providing up-to-date nautical charts, and determining exact positions on sea or land. These services help keep the nation's maritime commerce humming along safely. But what else could this information be used for? Who else could use it? And what would you get if you focused all of NOAA's combined navigational tools and services to study one specific coastal area in intense detail, all at one time? In this episode, learn how NOAA's navigational services are evolving beyond navigation.

We have three stories for you this week: A new NOAA archive is launched on the web for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; Texas gets a new forecast system to warn of toxic algal outbreaks along the coast; the first ocean glider to successfully cross the Atlantic goes on display at the Smithsonian Institution.

We have three stories this week: Funds are delivered to restore sections of the Delaware River damaged by a 2004 oil spill; the rules change for sewage discharge in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary; and the Smithsonian Institution launches a new Ocean Portal.

Looking for something to entertain the kids while you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner this week? How about an educational game? In this episode, we revisit a 2009 interview with the National Ocean Service's education director to hear about NOAA's foray into educational games and to learn why there's a growing trend to teach kids using fun gaming experiences. We also preview what's available on NOAA's 'Planet Arcade' game portal.

NOS News Update: we bring you stories about plastic in the marine environment, a new estuarine reserve in Wisconsin, and a new PORTS station.