Radar systems tracking ocean currents installed in Wales and Shishmaref
Radar systems tracking ocean currents were recently installed in Wales and Shishmaref. These stations are part of an initiative by scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences to better understand ocean currents in the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort seas. UAF researchers use high-frequency radar systems installed throughout coastal Alaska to create real-time animated maps of ocean current speed and direction. The sites in Wales and Shishmaref measure currents across the Bering Strait to Russia.
The maps, which are updated hourly, are intended to help with marine navigation, search and rescue operations, weather and sea ice forecasting and oil spill response. But researchers are also interested in collecting ocean current data in order to better understand the impact of climate change, including on ocean currents.
University of Alaska Fairbanks professor and project leader Seth Danielson explained that the new sites are important for a more comprehensive understanding of the marine system. “The Bering Strait is the choke point between the North Pacific and Arctic Ocean. Pacific water flowing north through the Bering Strait carries heat, which in turn melts Arctic ice and can delay freezeup in the fall,” said Danielson.
The maps, along with input from residents of coastal communities, could also help scientists understand the impact of climate change on fish species. For example, pollock and Pacific cod are moving north and better understanding currents could be instrumental for determining why this is occurring.
A more comprehensive understanding of ocean currents is also beneficial for water safety. Michael Ahkinga Sr., who helped get the radar in Wales up and running, said that the information will be helpful for hunting. For instance, he said, seeing the ocean current on a map will help people better know the conditions before they leave for hunts.
The land-based sensors, which are powered by wind and solar systems, measure large areas of ocean surface currents. They do so through radar antennas, which emit radio-wave signals that bounce off the waves in the water. The data are then turned into images of water flow direction and speed, which are uploaded to the UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences website and sent to a national database.
The radar systems in Shishmaref and Wales are part of a project funded by the Alaska Ocean Observing System that began in 2009. Other stations are installed in Wainwright, Point Barrow and Cape Simpson to track the currents in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas. The information is available to the public on a website maintained by the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences.