Coastal revelations from space: new satellite tech maps sandy beaches

Scientists have developed a groundbreaking method to map sandy beach intertidal zones with unprecedented accuracy using satellite data. This innovative approach allows for precise measurements of coastlines that are constantly shaped by tides and waves, providing crucial information for managing and protecting these dynamic ecosystems. By relying solely on space-based observations, this method promises to revolutionize coastal monitoring and offers new insights into how beaches respond to climate change, sea-level rise, and severe weather events.

FAU, Virtual Planet and City of West Palm Beach Unveil Groundbreaking Virtual Reality Experience

The multidisciplinary team created a virtual simulation of the devastation that a Category 5 hurricane and sea level rise could have on West Palm Beach. The simulation, produced with 3D technology, reveals the destruction that could occur in Osprey Park and the surrounding communities, highlighting the threat to the coastline and potential solutions for coastal areas.

Red Algae Thrive Despite Ancestor’s Massive Loss of Genes

You’d think that losing 25 percent of your genes would be a big problem for survival. But not for red algae, including the seaweed used to wrap sushi. An ancestor of red algae lost about a quarter of its genes roughly one billion years ago, but the algae still became dominant in near-shore coastal areas around the world, according to Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Debashish Bhattacharya, who co-authored a study in the journal Nature Communications.