Category Archives: water

Can NYC Beaches get Swallowed by the Sea in a Storm?

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Philip Orton

There’s some recent alarming news yet simultaneously comforting news for those in the New York City region concerned about coastal flooding.  On one hand, two geologists have assembled a 2000-year record of hurricane storm surges that washed over the area’s … Continue reading →

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Blast-proofing the PATH tunnels

Posted on March 8, 2011 by juliepullen

For the past several months the Port Authority has led a concerted effort to enhance the security of the PATH tunnels that cross beneath the Hudson River.   The four underwater railway tunnels connect New Jersey to lower and midtown Manhattan.  … Continue reading →

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New York Harbor Seals

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Philip Orton

I went on an amazing annual boat tour on Saturday, put on by the Audubon Society, called Winter Seals and Water Birds.  About a hundred or so participants cruised out of South Street Seaport on a Water Taxi, past Red … Continue reading →

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Fish found a solution to PCB pollution

Posted on February 18, 2011 by SeaAndSkyNY

Fish found a solution To G.E.’s grand pollution: To P.C.B.s They say, “Yes, please!” It’s modern evolution. – Kat Allen Read or hear the NPR story here: And the peer-reviewed scientific article is in the journal Science, here. [This is … Continue reading →

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The NYC Storm Surge Threat

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Philip Orton

New York City is highly vulnerable to a hurricane strike due to its location near the coast where winds and storm surges are usually at their maximum.  On one hand, we are fortunate that direct hurricane strikes are extremely rare … Continue reading →

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The scientific significance of the only hurricane ever to directly hit NYC

Posted on February 9, 2011 by SeaAndSkyNY

This is a guest post from Bruce Parker, Visiting Professor, Center for Maritime Systems, Stevens Institute of Technology, and author of the recent book The Power of the Sea – Tsunamis, Storm Surges, Rogue Waves, and Our Quest to Predict … Continue reading →

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The Big Stink: II. Scents and the Weather

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Philip Orton

Weather conditions can promote or inhibit bad smells in an urban area.  Warm weather can increase bacterial decomposition of organic matter, which under certain conditions can produce sulfurous smells – this is why it often reeks when you walk past … Continue reading →

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The Big Stink: I. Scents and the City

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Philip Orton

Four years ago, on the morning of Monday, January 8th, 2007, a mysterious foul odor settled upon New York City and surrounding regions, causing confusion, consternation and even building evacuations in some cases.  Many were concerned it might be dangerous … Continue reading →

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The Hudson’s 20-foot Breaking Waves

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Philip Orton

The Hudson takes on a tremendous load of pollutants due to its proximity to New York City, yet typically disperses these pollutants without severe environmental degradation. Through field deployments on the Hudson, we have observed vigorous turbulent mixing driven by … Continue reading →

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Earthquake = Tsunami?

Posted on November 30, 2010 by Philip Orton

A mild 3.9-magnitude earthquake occurred this morning out at sea off the New York Bight, and was felt by many people across the region.  An obvious question is whether such an earthquake could cause a tsunami.  A large tsunami clearly … Continue reading →

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