June 6th, 2013 Category: Tropical Storms MODISAqua

Tropical Storm Andrea (01L) – June 6th, 2013

Enhanced image

Track of TC 01L

In early June, the National Hurricane Center began monitoring an area of disturbed weather in the northwestward Caribbean Sea.

The system moved northward and slowly organized, despite strong wind shear. After a reconnaissance aircraft reported a closed circulation on June 5, the National Hurricane Center initiated advisories on Tropical Storm Andrea at 2200 UTC, while centered about 310 miles (500 km) southwest of Tampa, Florida.

Upon developing into a tropical cyclone on June 5, a tropical storm warning was issued from Boca Grande to the mouth of the Ochlockonee River in Florida. Additionally, a tropical storm watch was put into effect for Flagler Beach, Florida to Surf City, North Carolina. In Gulf Shores, Alabama, 10 swimmers had to be rescued due to strong rip currents on June 5.

Tags: 01L Andrea Caribbean Sea Florida Gulf of Mexico Tropical Storm | Comments |

June 6th, 2013 Category: Image of the day, Sediments MODISAqua

Venezuela and Colombia – June 5th, 2013

Though undoubtedly shocking and disconcerting, the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is hardly the first incident of its kind in the region. Starting in the 1920s, American and British subsidiaries of Standard Oil of New Jersey, Gulf and Royal Dutch Shell turned environmentally pristine Lake Maracaibo (below), which empties out into the Gulf of Venezuela (above) and the Caribbean, into toxic sludge.

Travel to Lake Maracaibo today and you can still see the relics of the pioneering petroleum past: hundreds of offshore oil derricks dot the horizon as far as the eye can see. During the 1920s oil was a messy business and blow-outs, fires and fantastic gushers were a common occurrence. Just as in Louisiana today, the oil industry in Lake Maracaibo put delicate lakeshore mangroves in danger as well as tropical wildlife.

The water used by local residents for domestic uses came from the lake itself, and reportedly there was little risk of getting sick from the water as it was clean, such that one could even see the head of a coin or a needle in the water. With the arrival of the oil companies however, the water became dirty (click here for more information).

Tags: Colombia Gulf of Venezuela Lake Maracaibo Venezuela | Comments |

May 22nd, 2013 Category: Fires

Mexico – May 21st, 2013

Hundreds of fires can be seen burning in southern Mexico, along the Sierra Madre Oriental and between the mountain range and the Gulf of Mexico Coast. The Sierra Madre breaks down at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec into a broad, plateau-like ridge, by which fires are still visible. 

Tags: Fires Gulf of Mexico Mexico Sierra Madre Oriental | Comments |

May 21st, 2013 Category: Fires, Image of the day

Mexico – May 21st, 2013

The locations of fires burning in southern Mexico, mostly on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and in northern Guatemala are marked by red indicators in this image. Smoke from the fires blows over both countries and spreads northwestward across the Gulf of Mexico.

Tags: Fires Guatemala Gulf of Mexico Isthmus of Tehuantepec Mexico | Comments |