Our Impacts - NOAA/AOML
Source: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov/our-impacts
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Our Impacts - NOAA/AOML
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Our Impacts
Our Impact
A look into how our research prepares the nation for extreme weather and the impacts of environmental stressors
SCROLL TO LEARN MORE
The Impact of Research Performed at AOML
We collect the data needed to build hurricane models. We monitor major, longterm shifts in crucial marine ecosystems impacting fisheries and coastal communities. We identify how global changes in ocean currents fuel weather patterns and tropical storm development to aid forecasts. We develop and engineer new technologies in-house that expand research capabilities. And we’re doing all of this to fuel NOAA’s mission of protecting life and property on the local, national and global scale.
AOML Research Fact Sheets
Explore the value of our research with a series of one and two-pagers
Virtual Reality
Explore Our Research with V/R
Tour Our Lab
Explore a Virtual Tour of AOML
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about our research
Fact Sheets Highlighting the Significance of What We Do
Explore these research highlights to learn more about AOML research topics such as how we study key ecosystems, tropical storm and hurricane development, red tide, and ocean acidification in the Atlantic Ocean. You can also find information on cutting-edge ‘Omics research techniques, which help us study genetic material found in the water column, called environmental DNA. Information is also provided on extreme weather research and the importance of improving our forecasting systems.
Our Lab
The Value of Coral Reef Infrastructure
The Value of Hurricane Research
The Ocean and Hurricanes
Gliders for Research and Hurricane Forecasting
The Value of ‘
Omics
Technology
Argo: A Global Network of Ocean Observation
Improving Early Warnings for Extreme Weather
The Value of Hurricane
Forecasts
Technologies for Advancing Hurricane Research
Technologies for Advancing Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Research
Technologies for Advancing Physical Oceanography Research
videos
videos
Annual Accomplishments Reports
Fiscal Year 2025
Fiscal Year 2024
Fiscal Year 2023
Fiscal Year 2022
Fiscal Year 2021
Virtual Tour
Embark on AOML research missions with virtual reality
Have you ever wanted to join our researchers in the field? Now, through AOML’s virtual reality research missions, you can join our scientists as they fly into hurricanes, dive on coral reefs, and embark on research cruises. Explore by clicking one of the experiences below or visiting AOML’s Youtube channel on your VR headset.
aoml
We Drive Innovative Science
Facilities at AOML
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at a scientific lab? AOML’s facility is a unique and historic building that was created to make possible all of the diverse research we conduct. Take a virtual tour to learn more about the places and spaces of our lab and how we use them to collaborate and innovate in the work we do.
NOAA-led Cruise Expands Sensors for Climate Prediction
PIRATA (Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic) Northeast Extension (PNE) Research Cruise 2021.
Lab Walkthrough
The Experimental Reef Lab
Technology Frontiers
Underwater Gliders
frequently
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't nuclear weapons destroy hurricanes?
The amount of energy that a storm produces far outweighs the energy produced by one nuclear weapon. Additionally, the downside of radioactive fallout from such an operation would far outweigh the benefits and may not even alter the storm.
For more info
click here
.
What causes tropical cyclones?
The tropical atmosphere is often unstable. The amount of energy accumulated in the lower layers though the evaporation of water eventually overcomes any stable cap. This allows clusters of thunderstorms to form. These clusters move along with the prevailing winds as tropical disturbances. Occasionally, cyclonic circulations will develop within these disturbances. These circulations can be amplified and the disturbance will form a tropical cyclone. Only about 10% of disturbances become tropical cyclones, so large-scale influences impinging on such disturbances play a big role in cyclone formation.
For more info
click here
.
What is Sargassum?
Sargassum
is a type of floating brown algae, commonly called “seaweed.” These algae float at the sea surface, never attach to the sea floor, and they can aggregate to form large mats in the open ocean.
What research does NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory or other parts of NOAA currently conduct on Sargassum?
Researchers at NOAA’s AOML and NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite Data, Information Service (
NESDIS
), and the University of South Florida developed the experimental
Sargassum Inundation Report
(SIR) to provide an overview of the extent of
Sargassum
in the ocean and the risk of
Sargassum
washing into coastal waters, beaches, and shorelines in the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and southeast Florida regions.
Research conducted at AOML in partnership with the University of Miami, the University of South Florida, and LGL Ecological Research (TX) is also aiding to identify how
Sargassum
extends across the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and tropical Atlantic, by assessing the role of ocean currents, winds, and waves in their motion. This work includes field experiments conducted to monitor the actual path of Sargassum using satellite tracking devices and surface drifters and satellite imagery, and physical representation of Sargassum in theoretical and numerical simulations. Please refer to the end of this document for a list of scientific manuscripts derived from this research.
For more info click
here
.
Hurricane FAQ
Sargassum FAQ
AOML Question and Answer
Do you have questions for us here at AOML? We would like to answer them for you! Submit your question for AOML in the submission box below. Any question related to AOML, its mission, and its research are welcome and encouraged. Enjoy reading through previously answered submissions.
What is the difference between AOML and NOAA?
The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is a lab within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is a government agency that is made up of many different laboratories across the country. Some examples of other NOAA labs include NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL).
Does AOML have any international partners?
Yes, AOML collaborates with multiple international partners. While AOML has many partnerships across the Atlantic, AOML’s research also has broader impacts across the global community. Some examples of these international partnerships are the Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas, the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Australia Bureau of Meteorology, and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.
What does NOAA investigate?
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a government agency that researches many different aspects of our ocean and atmosphere. AOML is a laboratory within NOAA that is made up of three divisions. AOML scientists research specific topics within ocean chemistry, marine ecosystems, physical oceanography, and hurricanes.
Ask a Question!
"
Our Impacts
Our Impact
A look into how our research prepares the nation for extreme weather and the impacts of environmental stressors
SCROLL TO LEARN MORE
The Impact of Research Performed at AOML
We collect the data needed to build hurricane models. We monitor major, longterm shifts in crucial marine ecosystems impacting fisheries and coastal communities. We identify how global changes in ocean currents fuel weather patterns and tropical storm development to aid forecasts. We develop and engineer new technologies in-house that expand research capabilities. And we’re doing all of this to fuel NOAA’s mission of protecting life and property on the local, national and global scale.
AOML Research Fact Sheets
Explore the value of our research with a series of one and two-pagers
Virtual Reality
Explore Our Research with V/R
Tour Our Lab
Explore a Virtual Tour of AOML
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about our research
Fact Sheets Highlighting the Significance of What We Do
Explore these research highlights to learn more about AOML research topics such as how we study key ecosystems, tropical storm and hurricane development, red tide, and ocean acidification in the Atlantic Ocean. You can also find information on cutting-edge ‘Omics research techniques, which help us study genetic material found in the water column, called environmental DNA. Information is also provided on extreme weather research and the importance of improving our forecasting systems.
Our Lab
The Value of Coral Reef Infrastructure
The Value of Hurricane Research
The Ocean and Hurricanes
Gliders for Research and Hurricane Forecasting
The Value of ‘
Omics
Technology
Argo: A Global Network of Ocean Observation
Improving Early Warnings for Extreme Weather
The Value of Hurricane
Forecasts
Technologies for Advancing Hurricane Research
Technologies for Advancing Ocean Chemistry and Ecosystems Research
Technologies for Advancing Physical Oceanography Research
videos
videos
Annual Accomplishments Reports
Fiscal Year 2025
Fiscal Year 2024
Fiscal Year 2023
Fiscal Year 2022
Fiscal Year 2021
Virtual Tour
Embark on AOML research missions with virtual reality
Have you ever wanted to join our researchers in the field? Now, through AOML’s virtual reality research missions, you can join our scientists as they fly into hurricanes, dive on coral reefs, and embark on research cruises. Explore by clicking one of the experiences below or visiting AOML’s Youtube channel on your VR headset.
aoml
We Drive Innovative Science
Facilities at AOML
Ever wonder what it’s like to work at a scientific lab? AOML’s facility is a unique and historic building that was created to make possible all of the diverse research we conduct. Take a virtual tour to learn more about the places and spaces of our lab and how we use them to collaborate and innovate in the work we do.
NOAA-led Cruise Expands Sensors for Climate Prediction
PIRATA (Prediction and Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic) Northeast Extension (PNE) Research Cruise 2021.
Lab Walkthrough
The Experimental Reef Lab
Technology Frontiers
Underwater Gliders
frequently
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't nuclear weapons destroy hurricanes?
The amount of energy that a storm produces far outweighs the energy produced by one nuclear weapon. Additionally, the downside of radioactive fallout from such an operation would far outweigh the benefits and may not even alter the storm.
For more info
click here
.
What causes tropical cyclones?
The tropical atmosphere is often unstable. The amount of energy accumulated in the lower layers though the evaporation of water eventually overcomes any stable cap. This allows clusters of thunderstorms to form. These clusters move along with the prevailing winds as tropical disturbances. Occasionally, cyclonic circulations will develop within these disturbances. These circulations can be amplified and the disturbance will form a tropical cyclone. Only about 10% of disturbances become tropical cyclones, so large-scale influences impinging on such disturbances play a big role in cyclone formation.
For more info
click here
.
What is Sargassum?
Sargassum
is a type of floating brown algae, commonly called “seaweed.” These algae float at the sea surface, never attach to the sea floor, and they can aggregate to form large mats in the open ocean.
What research does NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory or other parts of NOAA currently conduct on Sargassum?
Researchers at NOAA’s AOML and NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite Data, Information Service (
NESDIS
), and the University of South Florida developed the experimental
Sargassum Inundation Report
(SIR) to provide an overview of the extent of
Sargassum
in the ocean and the risk of
Sargassum
washing into coastal waters, beaches, and shorelines in the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and southeast Florida regions.
Research conducted at AOML in partnership with the University of Miami, the University of South Florida, and LGL Ecological Research (TX) is also aiding to identify how
Sargassum
extends across the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and tropical Atlantic, by assessing the role of ocean currents, winds, and waves in their motion. This work includes field experiments conducted to monitor the actual path of Sargassum using satellite tracking devices and surface drifters and satellite imagery, and physical representation of Sargassum in theoretical and numerical simulations. Please refer to the end of this document for a list of scientific manuscripts derived from this research.
For more info click
here
.
Hurricane FAQ
Sargassum FAQ
AOML Question and Answer
Do you have questions for us here at AOML? We would like to answer them for you! Submit your question for AOML in the submission box below. Any question related to AOML, its mission, and its research are welcome and encouraged. Enjoy reading through previously answered submissions.
What is the difference between AOML and NOAA?
The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is a lab within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is a government agency that is made up of many different laboratories across the country. Some examples of other NOAA labs include NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) and NOAA Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL).
Does AOML have any international partners?
Yes, AOML collaborates with multiple international partners. While AOML has many partnerships across the Atlantic, AOML’s research also has broader impacts across the global community. Some examples of these international partnerships are the Cape Eleuthera Institute in the Bahamas, the Korean Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Australia Bureau of Meteorology, and the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research.
What does NOAA investigate?
NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a government agency that researches many different aspects of our ocean and atmosphere. AOML is a laboratory within NOAA that is made up of three divisions. AOML scientists research specific topics within ocean chemistry, marine ecosystems, physical oceanography, and hurricanes.
Ask a Question!