El Nino is a disruption of the ocean-atmosphere system in the tropical Pacific with important climatic consequences around the globe. This NOAA theme page features links to widely distributed information. Includes data, graphics, forecasts, historical perspectives, and in-depth analysis. It is intended to be useful to scientists, administrators, students and the general public. Links include sites ... Full description.

The National Marine Sanctuary Program identifies, designates and manages areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic qualities. Access information and pictures of marine sanctuaries all over the U.S. and its territories. Discover ways to get involved with the sanctuary program, ... Full description.

These lesson plans in life sciences, physical science, chemistry and engineering link to projects of NOAA's Aquarius undersea research station. Topics include the: impacts of buoyancy, pressure and light on underwater research; effects of physical oceanography on coral reefs; effects of water temperature on the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis; engineering of AUVs; fish survey techniques; chemical ecology; ... Full description.

Classroom activities based on how scientists study active volcanoes on the deep ocean floor. Activities include: locating an earthquake epicenter, recording geological and biological information during an ocean floor traverse, creating cross-section profiles of the ocean floor, and graphing seafloor data. Resources include videos and teacher guides. Full description.

The NOAA Photo Library has been built to capture the work, observations, and studies that are carried on by the scientists, engineers, commissioned officers, and administrative personnel that make up this complex and scientifically diverse agency. It also has been built in an attempt to capture NOAA's scientific heritage. To date, over 16,000 images have been digitized and reside in the online NOAA ... Full description.

CORMP's goal is to provide an interdisciplinary science-based framework that supports sound public policy leading to wise coastal use, sustainable fisheries and improved coastal ocean ecosystem health. This site features an easy to use interactive map with real time and archived buoy and weather station data for southern North Carolina and South Carolina. The site also includes teacher resources including ... Full description.

This interactive lesson introduces students to issues of biodiversity in Chesapeake Bay. It features background information, as well as directions on how to conduct biofilm experiments using plexiglass discs or CDs to culture communities in your local body of water. The experiments demonstrate how water quality, depth, and biodiversity are linked. For students whose school is not near the original ... Full description.

Teaching activity where students manage various species of fish after learning about what overfishing and the environment can do to commercial fishing. Includes background information, data, applications, and additional activities. Links to related sites, as well as a wealth of similar NOAA lessons covering a variety of marine and environmental science topics. Full description.

Provides services and information for coral reef researchers and the public. Site FAQs cover technical background on coral reef biology, ecology, biodiversity, and coral diseases. Other resources: coral literature listings; classroom modules; coral cam on a Caribbean reef. Coral list serve allows discussion between researchers and others interested in coral reefs. Links to Coral Reef Early Warning ... Full description.

Overview of the horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus), a major Mid-Atlantic resource. Topics covered include: horseshoe crab biology and life cycle, breeding beaches and ecological importance of horseshoe crab eggs for migrating birds. Biomedical and other uses of horseshoe crabs are explained, and impacts of overharvesting on their populations are described. Current research, fishery management, volunteer ... Full description.