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Vital Signs: The Hottest Ocean in Recorded History

Hurricanes

New research suggests that climate change will fuel more supercharged storms, bringing even bigger challenges to coastal and inland North Carolina. For over four decades, Coastwatch has documented the storms that have shaped our state.

image: Hurricane Florence from space.

Jan 9, 2024

50-year Trend in Atlantic Hurricane Escalation

New research from Rowan University climate scientist Andra Garner shows changes to Atlantic hurricanes over the past 50 years, with storms developing and strengthening faster.
3 children holding hands on a beach.

Sep 18, 2023

The Untapped Resource: How Students Can Help Build Community Resiliency

As children learn through environmental education — and pass along what they discover to adults — the process equips young and old to take informed action.
image: Hurricane Florence, satellite view.

Sep 18, 2023

Environmental Justice and Disaster Recovery: Pioneering Research in a Burgeoning Field

With a look back at Hurricane Florence, a new study shows how nonprofit leaders responded to the post-disaster needs of the Latina and Latino community in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Jun 26, 2024

The Guide to Coastal Living

Bulkheads have been popular, but these structures come with a number of negatives.
image: Hurricane Florence's eye.

Jun 3, 2023

Climate Resilience: Natural Landscapes and Flood Mitigation in New Bern

1996 marked an abrupt uptick in hurricane activity in coastal North Carolina, when tropical storm Arthur and hurricanes Bertha and Fran made landfall within a few months of each other. These storms caused billions of dollars in damage and significant loss of life. Since then, 38 tropical systems have impacted North Carolina.
image: The view from Hatteras Lighthouse with the sky and landscape in background to show the stretch off Hatteras.

Jun 2, 2023

Out at Hatteras: With Cap’n Ernie Foster and Albatross I

A day’s journey on the “Graveyard of the Atlantic” loosens stories of lost ships — while aboard an 85-year-old vessel the U.S. Navy once tried to keep from its owner.
image: Okracoke Island is shown with a mounted sign that reads: "Stop. No one allowed beyond this point."

Jun 2, 2023

From Portsmouth to Aurora

As impacts from climate change heighten, our state finds new strategies for new challenges.

Mar 28, 2023

Naturalist’s Notebook: Hurricanes, People, and Piping Plovers

A new study looked at the long-term mating habits of piping plovers before and after protective measures went into effect.

Mar 27, 2023

Cultivating Coastal Waters: North Carolina’s ShellCast App Goes Regional

A digital tool for North Carolina's Shellfish growers soon will forecast last-minute lease closures in Florida and South Carolina, too.
Perito Moreno Glacier

Mar 21, 2023

Vital Signs: The Hottest Ocean in Recorded History

Covering more than 70% of the earth, our global ocean has a very high heat capacity, and the top few meters of the ocean store as much heat as earth’s entire atmosphere. Ninety percent of global warming is occurring in the ocean...