Marine Physics and Ocean Circulation (MPOC)

New software for calculating air-sea exchanges

Windy weather in the Southern Ocean
  • New, open-access software developed by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) brings together ten different formulae for calculating air-sea surface exchanges into one package for the very first time.

New project to enhance monitoring of critical coastal habitats

A new project led by the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) will unlock new capability of an innovative satellite mapping technique to enable better large-scale management of intertidal zones.

New study on climate change set to improve future weather models

Change in AMOC strength over time: Irminger Sea interior water density represents strength of AMOC current system, periods of high (green), low (blue), error margin (grey) and trend (black dotted line) shows no detectable decline in AMOC since 1950.

Leading scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have discovered that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is not showing a detectable decline as previous studies from other scientists have suggested. A decline in the AMOC would contribute to extreme weather and climate decline in North America and Europe.

World-first satellite to measure Earth’s water levels blasts into space

The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft on a transport container inside the Astrotech facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, 18 November 2022. Photo: USSF 30th Space Wing/Chris Okula

A UK-backed mission, which will observe huge swathes of ocean and surface water in unprecedented detail, has launched into space.

The international Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite took off from Vandenberg in California on 16 December.

Scientist Spotlight – Meet Coastal Oceanographer Dr Jenny Brown

Dr Jenny Brown conducting fieldwork

As sea level rise accelerates, there is a greater need to protect those living closest to our coasts.

Historically, coastal management strategies, such as the building of sea walls, have been reactive to extreme events. Now, more sustainable adaptive management strategies are sought.

Staggering sea-level rise in the Mediterranean Sea revealed by new study

Pattern of relative sea level (RSL) rates, 2000–2018, estimated by the Bayesian hierarchical model (BHM). a) Total RSL including inverse barometer (IB) effect, and contributions from: b) Sterodynamic changes, c) Gravitational, rotational, deformation effects, and d) Glacial isostatic adjustment, with e) The contribution from the IB effect (computed outside the BHM).

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have discovered a substantial rise in sea-levels in the Mediterranean Sea, using a vital new method to measure changes in sea-level.

Scientists support Somali fisheries to navigate the effects of climate change

Satellite Chlorophyll image from June 2019 indicating the presence of phytoplankton during the Somali Upwelling

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have developed a new method to monitor the effects of climate change on coastal upwelling to support the growth of local fisheries in Somalia.

NOC joins study to assess impact of offshore wind farms

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, the UK’s leading ocean research centre, are joining a collaborative effort to assess the impact of offshore wind farms on marine ecosystems.

NOC contributes key data to BAMS State of the Climate report 2021

The BAMS State of the Climate report 2021, released yesterday (31 August), has provided a comprehensive update on Earth’s climate indicators, notable weather events and other data collected by environmental monitoring stations and instruments located on land, water, ice and in space.

New study helps to inform salt intrusion management

Ythan estuary (Scotland) entering the North Sea, with sand dunes on the right side of the estuary and sunbathing seals on the left

Scientists from the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) have made a substantial new discovery that brings a better understanding of saltwater intrusion through estuaries and could aid in the protection of vital freshwater resources against increasing salt intrusion risks due to accelerating climate change and human interventions.