Hurricane Sandy's Coastal Legacy Lidar Revealed
Lidar confirms Sandy’s dramatic coastal change Impacts and future coastal vulnerability to US Geological Survey. The extent of Hurricane Sandy's wrath -- and the future coastal vulnerability of the region -- is clear in a new U.S. Geological Survey analysis of recently collected lidar coastal data. The research documented particularly dramatic impacts within the Fire Island National Seashore on Long Island, NY . Lidar, or light detection and ranging, uses lasers to measure elevations in a specific distance/area. Researchers used the lidar data, collected during an airborne survey, to construct a high-resolution three-dimensional map of before- and after-storm conditions.
US Navy Photo of the Day
Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) 24 comes ashore (deliberately) at Ocean Beach in San Francisco. LCAC demonstrated its amphibious abilties during a humanitarian assistance and disaster response exhibition to start San Francisco Fleet Week 2012. Shrouded in clouds of sand it later returned to the ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Torrey W. Lee
Cosco Busan Oil Spill Update
The Unified Command for the Cosco Busan oil spill continues response efforts as clean-up crews focus on beaches around the bay area. Ocean Beach has been partially closed as of Nov. 13 due to hazardous conditions. It is closed from Cliffhouse to Lincoln Ave. and open from Lincoln Ave. to Fort Funsten. There is light oil covering the beach in the closed area. The new contact phone number for new oil sightings has been changed to 415-398-9617. The public is still urged to avoid areas and wildlife that are affected, as untrained people can cause further damage to the environment and stress on the wildlife. Concerned citizens should call (415) 701-2311 to report any sightings of oiled wildlife.
Cosco Busan Unified Oil Spill Update
More than 200 people are responding to the COSCO BUSAN oil spill. Golden Gate Bridge working to recover spilled oil. A skimmer is a mechanized oil recovery system. It utilizes a belt that is made from a a material that attracts oil. 18,000 feet of boom has been placed around the Bay Area to protect the Beaches and wildlife. Two overflights were conducted this morning to evaluate the movement of the spilled oil and to assist in the directing of oil spill response vessels. Marine Spill Response Corporation (MSRC) and National Response Center (NRC) reports an estimated 58,000 gallons of bunker fuel was leaked into the San Francisco Bay yesterday with approximately 8,000 gallons recovered.
