NOAA: Making Waves

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Making Waves is a weekly audio program bringing you the latest National Ocean Service news and information.

National Ocean Service

  • Jul 17, 2017 LATEST EPISODE
  • infrequent NEW EPISODES
  • 9m AVG DURATION
  • 141 EPISODES


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Latest episodes from NOAA: Making Waves

The New NOAA Ocean Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2017 0:27


The Making Waves podcast has retired, but have no fear! We combined our Making Waves, Ocean Shorts, and Diving Deeper pods into one NEW podcast called NOAA Ocean. Subscribe in your favorite podcatcher so you never miss an episode. Just search for "NOAA Ocean." If you are looking for an older Making Waves episode, head to oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast to view our archive.

Subscribe to the New NOAA Ocean Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2017 0:27


The Making Waves podcast has retired, but have no fear! We combined our Making Waves, Ocean Shorts, and Diving Deeper pods into one NEW podcast called NOAA Ocean. Subscribe in your favorite podcatcher so you never miss an episode. Just search for "NOAA Ocean." If you are looking for an older Making Waves episode, head to oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast to view our archive.

ANNOUNCEMENT: New NOAA Ocean Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2017 0:27


The Making Waves podcast has retired, but have no fear! We combined our Making Waves, Ocean Shorts, and Diving Deeper podcasts into one NEW podcast called NOAA Ocean. Subscribe to the new podcast in your favorite podcatcher so you never miss an episode. Just search for "NOAA Ocean." If you are looking for an older Making Waves episode, head to oceanservice.noaa.gov/podcast to view our archive.

Listen up: What you need to know about ocean noise. (Episode 138)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2016 13:53


What is ocean noise and what is NOAA doing to reduce this threat in our national marine sanctuaries? Many marine organisms, including marine mammals, sea turtles, fish and invertebrates, rely on sound and hearing for their survival. Over the last century, increases in human activity within our ocean have led to increasing levels of noise. This increasing amount of noise from human sources is a rising concern for the health and well-being of marine organisms and ecosystems. In this episode, we talk with NOAA marine ecologist Dr. Leila Hatch about her work to better understand the ocean soundscape by developing programs that can establish baselines, detect changes in noise levels, and support the design of methods to reduce noise impacts. Episode permanent link and show notes

Bringing Wetlands to Market: the Power of Blue Carbon in a Changing Climate (Episode 137)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2016 13:06


Money does not grow on trees, but it could be growing in our coastal salt marshes and sea grass beds. A team of researchers is working at Waquoit Bay Research Reserve on Cape Cod in Massachusetts on the "Bringing Wetlands to Market" project to study the connections between coastal wetlands, carbon dioxide uptake and storage, and the global carbon trading economy. Wetlands have the potential to serve as valuable assets in carbon trading markets – but only if we protect them, and don't dig up the treasure! Episode permanent link and show notes

Charting New Waters: Video

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2016 3:36


Boaters rely on NOAA's nautical charts for depth measurements so they don't accidentally ground on sandbars or other underwater obstructions. Take three minutes out of your day to hear Captain Shepard Smith of the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson discuss how nautical charts are updated—and how NOAA is using promising new technology (ocean robots!) that will add shallow depths to nautical charts. Episode permanent link and show notes

Connecting the Dots Between Corals and Humans (Episode 135)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2016 15:31


Coral reefs are under intense pressure from climate change, pollution, and unsustainable use. So what can we do about it? To answer that question, we need to better understand the main threat to our reefs. Humans. Episode permanent link and show notes

Alaska: Marine Debris in the Wilderness (Episode 134)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2016 15:31


Alaska—the largest and most remote state in the United States—is filled with wilderness and beauty, and unfortunately with marine debris. With a longer coastline than all the other U.S. states combined, Alaska finds itself with the greatest concentration of marine debris in our country. In this episode, we learn just how challenging the issue of marine debris can be in the vast wilderness of this state, how the NOAA Marine Debris program is working to solve this problem, and how the key to beating this issue is in the innovation and ingenuity of the community working to address it. Episode permanent link and show notes

Data Makes a Difference (Episode 133)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2015 3:53


Take a virtual journey to Penobscot Bay, Maine, to see how harbor pilots use U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) data for real-time ocean and weather conditions. This information is critical for safe navigation as pilots carefully move tankers and other vessels often carrying dangerous cargo safely in and out of port. IOOS coastal and marine data (e.g., water temperature, water level, currents, winds, and waves) are collected by many different tools including satellites, buoys, tide gauges, radar stations, and underwater vehicles. Most of the data collected are streamed online and viewable on digital maps for easy access. Episode permanent link and show notes

Vertical Mapping and Atomic Clocks (Episode 132)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2015 12:53


Scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, are developing atomic clocks that are so accurate that the effects of the general theory of relativity come into play. That means if two of these clocks are at slightly different elevations—even a few centimeters—the higher clock runs noticeably faster. In this episode, find out why this is a problem for NIST, how the National Geodetic Survey helped to solve this problem, and how these amazing atomic clocks may someday play an important role in the science of geodesy. Episode permanent link and show notes

World Ocean Day (Special Feature)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2015 1:52


What do you know about our ocean? We bet you'll learn something new in this short video. Episode permanent link and show notes

Trash Talk (Special Feature)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2015 15:11


Ocean Today is premiering this 15-minute TRASH TALK special feature for World Ocean Day. It is specially designed to be part of your World Ocean Day festivities and beyond. In addition to the video, we have a pre-recorded 10-minute webinar for educators that provides fun activities that you can organize after the film! A perfect event for museums, zoos, aquariums, learning centers and schools. Enjoy! Please note that this movie is a large file (260 MB). Episode permanent link and show notes

Mapping an Ocean Ecosystem (Episode 131)

Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2015 2:02


Creating a habitat ecosystem map of the seafloor is a tricky process, but it's a key tool that scientists use to better understand our ocean. Learn more in this two-minute video. Episode permanent link and show notes

Exploring the Unknown (Episode 130)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2015 21:00


Join us for an interview with oceanographer Tim Battista about mapping coral reef ecosystems in the U.S. Caribbean. Episode permanent link and show notes

Shipwreck Detectives (Episode 129)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2015 20:00


A NOAA "shipwreck detective" talks about a two-year study to locate and document shipwrecks in Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and the surrounding area. Episode permanent link and show notes

Measuring Water Levels with Microwaves (Episode 128)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2014 5:29


In this episode, we visit a research station perched at the end of a long pier in Duck, North Carolina, to get a close-up look at the microwave radar water level sensor--a revolutionary step forward in how NOAA measures water levels around the nation. Episode permanent link and show notes

Arctic Shield (Episode 127)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2014 11:03


As sea ice continues to shrink in the Arctic, we’re likely to see more shipping, more oil exploration, more tourism, and more fishing. And all of this activity means that in the future, we’ll probably going have to deal with an oil spill in this remote region. So how do we prepare for that? The Coast Guard cutter Healy, a 420-foot-long icebreaker, is now heading north in answer to this question. The mission: an annual exercise called Arctic Shield led by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Research and Development Center. Onboard the Healy, scientists are gearing up to deal with a simulated oil spill in the icy Arctic. To tell us all about Arctic Shield and NOAA’s role in this expedition, we talk to Zachary Winters-Staszak, a spatial data specialist on the mission from the National Ocean Service’s Response and Restoration office. Episode permanent link and show notes

Great Pacific Garbage Patch (Episode 126)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2014 8:57


The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of many areas in the ocean where marine debris naturally concentrates because of ocean currents. In this episode, an expert from the NOAA Marine Debris Program explains what a garbage patch is and isn't, what we know and don't know, and what we can do about this ocean-sized problem. Episode permanent link and show notes

Storm Surge (Episode 125)

Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2014 3:04


This is Making Waves from NOAA's National Ocean Service. Hurricane season runs from June 1 - November 30. You know that powerful winds are destructive and can be deadly during a hurricane. But did you know that the greatest threat to life actually comes from the water — in the form of storm surge. See for yourself with this video from NOAA's Ocean Today. Episode permanent link and show notes

Coastal Blue Carbon (Episode 124)

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2014 12:42


Coastal Blue Carbon. Heard of it? A NOAA environmental scientist explains how certain small coastal areas play an outsized role in reducing climate change. Episode permanent link and show notes

Motion in the Ocean (Episode 123)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2014 3:15


You know about ocean tides, but how much do you know about ocean currents? Watch our three-minute video podcast to learn what puts the motion in the ocean. Episode permanent link and show notes

The Exxon Valdez, 25 Years Later (Episode 122)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2014 15:03


Prior to the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Exxon Valdez was the largest spill to ever occur in U.S. coastal waters. In this episode, we talk with NOAA marine biologist Gary Shigenaka to find out how marine life is faring today in Prince William Sound, Alaska. We also look at lessons we might learn from this environmental disaster in light of growing oil exploration and shipping traffic in the Arctic. Episode permanent link and show notes

SoundScapes (Episode 121)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2014 2:47


How do we use sound to 'see' the sea floor? Our latest podcast explains how sonar works and includes a great visualization that shows how sound data is used to make nautical charts. Episode permanent link and show notes

Underwater but Unforgotten (Episode 120)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2014 3:06


In this video episode: two Civil War-era sailors lost over 150 years ago aboard the U.S.S. Monitor are laid to rest. Don't miss this moving three-minute video brought to you by NOAA's Ocean Today. Episode permanent link and show notes

'Hooked on Sharks' from NOAA Fisheries (Episode 119)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2013 10:40


It's Shark Week! Tune in to hear 'Hooked on Sharks,' the latest episode of 'On the Line,' a new podcast from our colleagues at NOAA Fisheries. 'On the Line' features interviews with NOAA scientists who study fish, marine mammals, and other ocean life. In 'Hooked on Sharks,' we hear about a research project to see if a special type of hook can help vulnerable populations of sharks to survive. Episode permanent link and show notes

The Social Side of Coral Reefs (Episode 118)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2013 10:34


Coral reefs are under intense pressure from climate change, pollution, and unsustainable use. So what can we do about it? To answer that question, we need to better understand the main threat to our reefs. Humans. Join us for a discussion about the social side of protecting coral reefs with scientist Peter Edwards from NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program. Episode permanent link and show notes

Coast Guard Search and Rescue (Episode 117)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2013 3:50


In this video podcast, see how real-time ocean data is aiding Coast Guard search and rescue operations. Episode permanent link and show notes

Hurricane Survival (Episode 116)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2013 3:48


It's hurricane season. Are you prepared? Find out with this video from NOAA's Ocean Today . Episode permanent link and show notes

Measuring Change in an Estuary (Episode 115)

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2013 3:04


How do we measure elevation changes in estuaries--marshy areas where land elevations are constantly shifting? How will sea level rise affect the flora and fauna that live in these places? See how National Geodetic Survey experts are laying the groundwork to help answer these challenging questions at Waquoit Bay in Mass. Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Acidification (Episode 114)

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2013 2:17


In this video podcast, learn what ocean acidification is, how it's affecting marine life, and how NOAA tools are helping people monitor and adapt to changes in ocean chemistry. Episode permanent link and show notes

North American Marine Protected Areas (Episode 113)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2013 2:17


In this episode, watch a video about marine protected areas in North America produced by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, a partnership between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Episode permanent link and show notes

Journey to Cordell Bank (Episode 112)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2013 7:57


In this episode, we introduce you to a new occasional podcast series called 'Sanctuary Shorts' from our National Marine Sanctuaries office. Host Matt Dozier tells us about a pioneering effort to dive on Cordell Bank in the late 1970s and a returning mission nearly 30 years later. Episode permanent link and show notes

Shrinking Sea Ice (Episode 111)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2013 3:06


In this episode, watch the first installment of a new three-part video series from NOAA's Ocean Today about the role of ice in our ocean. What is sea ice and why is it shrinking? Episode permanent link and show notes

A robot's daring mission (Episode 110)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2013 5:41


In this episode: learn about the Challenger mission, an effort from the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System and Rutgers to send ocean gliders around the world. We then look back to the 2009 Scarlet Knight mission, the first successful ocean glider crossing of the Atlantic. We end with a screening of a teaser from the 2010 documentary 'Atlantic Crossing: a robot's daring mission.' (5:41 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video: Know Your Ocean (Episode 109)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2013 3:45


Think you know the ocean? In this episode, we showcase an Ocean Today video that answers many commons questions about the body of what that covers 70 percent of our Earth. (3:45 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Santa and the NGS (Episode 108)

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2012 6:08


We've got an oldie but a goodie lined up for the final podcast of 2012. Did you know that the National Ocean Service helps to ensure that Santa doesn't get lost on his journey around the country on December 25th. Here's an episode that originally aired way back in 2008 about Santa and the National Geodetic Survey. Enjoy!

Ocean Today Video: Whale Sense (Episode 107)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2012 3:31


NOAA's Ocean Today just launched its 100th video! In this episode, we highlight this achievement and showcase the latest video from Ocean Today about an effort to promote safe and responsible whale watching. (3:32 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video: Coral Forests of the Deep (Episode 106)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2012 3:28


NOAA and independent scientists recently discovered rocky reef habitats in an area of NOAA's Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary at depths reaching 457 meters meters—places where corals and sponges had not been seen before. Did you know that corals, sponges, and countless other creatures thrive in the deep ocean—in places where sunlight doesn't reach? In this episode, learn more about the fascinating world of deep sea coral habitats in 'Coral Forests of the Deep,' a video from NOAA's Ocean Today. (3:31 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Coastal Zone Management Act 40th Anniversary (Episode 105)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2012 10:26


We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of what some call the most important national coastal legislation you've probably never heard of. It’s called the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA). We're joined by Laura McKay, Virginia's Coastal Zone Program manager, who talks about an eelgrass restoration project along Virginia’s eastern shore made possible by this Act.

Marine Sanctuaries 40th Anniversary (Episode 104)

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2012 4:49


This month marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, which created our nation's national marine sanctuary system. What are sanctuaries? How do these special areas help to protect and conserve our ocean? We have a NOAA Ocean Today video for you in this episode to put this milestone in perspective. (4:49 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video: Fuel for the Storm (Episode 103)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2012 3:31


We've all heard that hurricanes are one of the most powerful and destructive forces on Earth. But where do they get their strength? You’ll find the answer on this episode of Making Waves. Tune in to watch a brand new video from NOAA’s Ocean Today called 'Fuel for the Storm.' (3:31 minutes) Episode permanent link and show notes

Where is Four Corners? (Episode 102)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2012 8:10


Have you ever been to Four Corners? It’s the only place in the U.S. where four states meet at one point. A few years back, there was some confusion over the position of a monument at Four Corners that marks this spot. Some reports claimed that the position of this marker was off by two and a half miles. Today, we’re revisiting a 2009 interview with Dave Doyle, chief geodetic surveyor from NOS’s National Geodetic Survey. As you’ll hear, Four Corners is exactly where it’s supposed to be — and the reason for that is that surveying isn’t only about taking precise measurements with sophisticated equipment, it's also about history, technology, and law. Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video: Marine Protected Areas (Episode 101)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2012 3:28


Take three minutes out of your day to watch a video from NOAA's Ocean Today about marine protected areas in North America. Episode permanent link and show notes

Positioning America for the Future (Episode 100)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2012 12:01


How much do you know about NOAA’s navigation services? In this episode, Dr. Holly Bamford, National Ocean Service Deputy Assistant Administrator, talks about ‘positioning America for the future,’ an effort to focus NOS navigation services on upcoming challenges as coastal populations grow, sea levels rise, maritime commerce increases, and new navigation routes open up in the Arctic. Episode permanent link and show notes

Hurricane Response (Episode 98)

Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2012 10:00


It’s the end of May -- and that means it’s not only the start of the summer season, it’s the beginning of hurricane season. Most people know that NOAA’s National Weather Service plays a huge role when hurricanes threaten our coasts, but what role does NOAA’s National Ocean Service play? Find out in this episode -- and learn about some of the online tools and information that you can use before, during, and after hurricanes strike. Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video: Black Carbon (Episode 97)

Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2012 3:46


Making Waves Ocean Today video Take three minutes out of your day to watch a video from NOAA's Ocean Today. In this episode, learn about the effect of black carbon -- better known as soot -- on Arctic climate. Episode permanent link and show notes

Titanic, 100 Years Later, Part II (Episode 96)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2012 16:54


One hundred years ago this month, the RMS Titanic sank after striking an iceberg on her maiden voyage from the United Kingdom to New York City. Nearly three-quarters of the 2,200 people on board the ship perished. In recognition of this anniversary, this episode features a moving interview with Jim Delgado, Director of Maritime Heritage with NOS's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. This is the second half of a two-part interview. Episode permanent link and show notes

Titanic, 100 Years Later, Part I (Episode 95)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2012 10:17


One hundred years ago this month, the RMS Titanic sank after striking an iceberg on her maiden voyage from the United Kingdom to New York City. Nearly three-quarters of the 2,200 people on board the ship perished. In recognition of this anniversary, this episode features a moving interview with Jim Delgado, Director of Maritime Heritage with NOS's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. You don't want to miss this one. This is the first half of a special two-part series. Episode permanent link and show notes

Surveying on the National Mall (Episode 94)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2012 13:00


NOS's National Geodetic Survey is conducting a study on the National Mall to help the National Park Service understand the settling and shifting of the ground underneath the monuments on the National Mall, particularly after the August 2011 earthquake. Tune in to our interview with Dave Doyle, NGS Chief Geodetic Surveyor, to learn more. Episode permanent link and show notes

Solving a Sea Foam Mystery (Episode 93)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2012 11:38


In 2007, hundreds of birds were found stranded or dead in California's Monterey Bay, coated with an unknown yellow-green substance that was eating away at the protective covering on their feathers. In this episode, we revisit a 2009 interview with a researcher from the University of California at Santa Cruz to learn how and why this happened. Episode permanent link and show notes

Ocean Today Video (Episode 92)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2012 3:20


Making Waves Ocean Today video Join us as we kick off a new ocassional series to highlight some of the great videos available on NOAA's Ocean Today website. In this episode, we showcase a fantastic video about exploring the deep ocean.Episode permanent link and show notes

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