{"id":491416,"date":"2026-07-29T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/"},"modified":"2026-07-29T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T04:00:00","slug":"sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=491416","title":{"rendered":"Sizing Up the\u00a0Sargassum\u00a0Belt"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\">\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 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class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/search\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Search<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-spacer\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1090\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Map of the Atlantic Ocean showing Sargassum density from low (blue) to high (red) in June 2026, with the highest concentrations in the tropical Atlantic.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"eager\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=300&#038;h=227&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=768&#038;h=581&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=775&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=400&#038;h=303&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=600&#038;h=454&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=900&#038;h=681&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=908&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This map, based on data from the <a href=\"https:\/\/pace.oceansciences.org\/oci.htm\"  rel=\"noopener\">OCI<\/a> (Ocean Color Instrument) on NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/pace\/\"  rel=\"noopener\">PACE<\/a> (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite, shows <em>Sargassum<\/em> highly concentrated in the tropical Atlantic in June 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Sargassum<\/em>, a type of brown floating algae, has <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01863-5\" rel=\"noopener\">shifted its range in recent decades<\/a>, thinning out in the North Atlantic\u2019s Sargasso Sea while proliferating in the tropical Atlantic. That trend, underway since 2011, continued in 2026 as the algae, commonly known as a type of <a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/facts\/seaweed.html\" rel=\"noopener\">seaweed<\/a>, reached its annual peak in June across a stretch of ocean known as the Great Atlantic <em>Sargassum<\/em> Belt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The belt\u2019s <em>Sargassum<\/em> abundance in June 2026 made it the second-highest <em>Sargassum<\/em> year in the satellite record, slightly behind 2025, according to scientists at the\u00a0University of South Florida\u00a0(USF) College of Marine Science. Regionally, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico) both hit record highs, according to USF\u2019s June 2026<em> <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/optics.marine.usf.edu\/projects\/SaWS\/pdf\/Sargassum_outlook_2026_bulletin06_USF.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Sargassum<\/em> outlook<\/a>. The western and eastern Caribbean saw 3.6 and 9 million metric tons, respectively, while the Gulf saw 5 million metric tons\u2014nearly double its previous record, also set in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe belt is a basin-scale phenomenon that can have devastating local-scale impacts throughout the Caribbean and Gulf, and satellite observations are the only method that captures both scales on a daily basis,\u201d said Brian Barnes, a marine scientist at the <a href=\"https:\/\/optics.marine.usf.edu\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Optical Oceanography Laboratory<\/a> at USF. \u201cThe tracking done by our lab helps communities know the current extent of Sargassum and prepare for what\u2019s to come.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In moderate amounts in the open ocean, <a href=\"https:\/\/oceanservice.noaa.gov\/news\/sargassum\/\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Sargassum<\/em><\/a> provides habitat for turtles, invertebrates, fish, and birds, and adds oxygen to the water through photosynthesis. But too much of it near shore can tangle and suffocate marine life, and mats that sink can smother corals and seagrasses. On beaches, decomposing <em>Sargassum<\/em> releases hydrogen sulfide, a rotten-egg-smelling gas that\u2019s a potential problem for both ecosystems and tourism. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The map above shows\u00a0<em>Sargassum<\/em>\u00a0density in the tropical Atlantic Ocean in June 2026. Red and orange areas are where <em>Sargassum<\/em> densities were the highest. Note that although the \u201cbelt\u201d appears continuous, discrete <em>Sargassum<\/em> mats are scattered across the ocean surface. The map is based on satellite measurements of how much of the ocean surface was covered by the seaweed, averaged per pixel across all observations made in June by the <a href=\"https:\/\/pace.oceansciences.org\/oci.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">OCI<\/a>\u00a0(Ocean Color Instrument) on NASA\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/pace\/\" rel=\"noopener\">PACE<\/a>\u00a0(Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) satellite.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"1090\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A detailed map of the Atlantic Ocean centered on the Caribbean Sea shows Sargassum density from low (blue) to high (red) in June 2026.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=1090&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=300&#038;h=227&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=768&#038;h=581&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=775&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=400&#038;h=303&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=600&#038;h=454&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=900&#038;h=681&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumzm_pace_202606.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=908&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\">This detailed view of the same <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/pace\/\" rel=\"noopener\">PACE<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/pace.oceansciences.org\/oci.htm\" rel=\"noopener\">OCI<\/a> map highlights <em>Sargassum<\/em> concentrations across the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of America, both of which saw record-high amounts of the floating algae in June 2026.<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ocean currents and winds shape the <em>Sargassum<\/em> belt, which, despite the patchiness, stretches nearly continuously from West Africa to the Gulf and holds a fairly steady \u201cwidth\u201d from the western tropical Atlantic westward, explained Chuanmin Hu, also an optical oceanographer at USF. The ocean currents have also spared Florida\u2019s west coast from inundation this summer, while delivering large amounts of seaweed to the Florida Keys and the state\u2019s east coast. The bulk of the <em>Sargassum<\/em>, however, is visible in the Caribbean Sea, shown in detail above, where <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/International\/scientists-concerned-record-amount-seaweed-caribbean\/story?id=122533091\" rel=\"noopener\">problems associated with inundation<\/a> have been more severe, Hu said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data for the maps were provided by Lin Qi, an oceanographer at NOAA\u2019s Center for Satellite Applications and Research, who has been working to generate <em>Sargassum<\/em> maps based on data from PACE, which was launched in February 2024. The work extends that of Qi and colleagues at USF\u2019s Optical Oceanography Laboratory. This team first developed <em>Sargassum<\/em> detection techniques using <a href=\"https:\/\/modis.gsfc.nasa.gov\/about\/\" rel=\"noopener\">MODIS<\/a>\u00a0(Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer)\u00a0on NASA\u2019s long-running <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/terra\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Terra<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/aqua\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Aqua<\/a> satellites and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earthdata.nasa.gov\/data\/instruments\/viirs\" rel=\"noopener\">VIIRS<\/a> (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) on the <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/jpss\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NOAA-20<\/a> satellite\u2014data that have been a key component of USF\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/optics.marine.usf.edu\/projects\/saws.html\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Sargassum<\/em> Watch System<\/a> and of research into the seaweed\u2019s longer-term trends.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Satellites detect <em>Sargassum<\/em> by its signals in reflected sunlight. Because of its plant structure and chlorophyll pigments, <em>Sargassum<\/em> reflects more near-infrared light than water. Scientists flag pixels where the reflectance spikes above the levels produced by plain seawater, and then they use the strength of this spike to estimate <em>Sargassum<\/em> density, which refers to the fraction of ocean surface covered by the seaweed in each pixel. Density estimates can then be converted into biomass, or the total weight of <em>Sargassum<\/em> present within a pixel, which is how the longer-term trends in the chart below are tracked.<\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-media hds-module wp-block-image\">\n<div class=\"margin-left-auto margin-right-auto nasa-block-align-wide\">\n<div class=\"hds-media-wrapper margin-left-auto margin-right-auto\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-inner hds-cover-wrapper hds-media-ratio-fit \" style=\"--hds-image-contain-bg:#ffffff;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=680&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"680\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=680&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"A chart of Sargassum biomass detected by MODIS since the early 2000s, showing amounts increasing beginning in 2011, with progressively higher spikes through summer 2025 and 2026.\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=1440&#038;h=680&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1440w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=300&#038;h=142&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=768&#038;h=363&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=484&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=400&#038;h=189&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=600&#038;h=283&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=900&#038;h=425&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassumchart_tamo_2026.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=567&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><figcaption class=\"hds-caption padding-y-2\">\n<div class=\"hds-caption-text p-sm margin-0\"> <\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-credits\">NASA Earth Observatory\/Lauren Dauphin<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The chart above uses the continuous MODIS record since March 2000 to show how <em>Sargassum<\/em> biomass across the Great Atlantic <em>Sargassum<\/em> Belt has changed through June 2026. Notice the uptick beginning around 2011, when the belt was first developing, and the seasonal dips in winter and peaks in spring and summer. The record high in July 2025 stands out, followed by the quick rise in early 2026\u2014especially in the first four months of the year\u2014that culminated in the year\u2019s peak in June. More recent observations, not yet reflected in the chart, indicate <em>Sargassum<\/em> biomass declined through the following month of July.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSince the initial appearance of the Great Atlantic\u00a0<em>Sargassum<\/em>\u00a0Belt in 2011, the total\u00a0<em>Sargassum<\/em>\u00a0amount in the Atlantic Ocean has increased substantially, more than doubling every five years,\u201d Hu said. He added that the exact mechanism is still being investigated, but it\u2019s possibly related to ocean warming, multiple nutrient sources, and the fact that large <em>Sargassum<\/em> mats attract other organisms\u2014such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria\u2014that can supply additional nutrients to <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/sargassum-the-smelly-nemesis-of-beach-vacations-has-become-a-self-sustaining-disaster-that-will-keep-coming-back-287444#:~:text=self-sustaining%20cycle\" rel=\"noopener\">sustain further growth<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alongside data from MODIS and VIIRS, OCI data from PACE now feeds into the <em>Sargassum<\/em> Watch System\u2019s near-real-time daily and weekly composite maps. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0034425725005899\" rel=\"noopener\">recent study<\/a> of the central-west Atlantic led by Qi, spanning May through August 2024, found that OCI offers several advantages over its predecessors, observing more of the ocean and detecting <em>Sargassum<\/em> with greater sensitivity.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hu noted that the added pixels from OCI can improve near-real-time monitoring and analyses of short-term fluctuations. And its higher sensitivity, he said, will also lead to improved maps during winter months, \u201cthus helping understand <em>Sargassum<\/em> changes over time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Additionally, the study\u2019s authors found that OCI\u2019s hyperspectral capability makes it the only sensor able to spectrally discriminate <em>Sargassum<\/em>\u00a0pixels across the Atlantic Ocean \u201cwithout ambiguity,\u201d adding confidence to the interpretation of detected image features\u2014especially in parts of the Atlantic where another type of floating algae, <em>Trichodesmium<\/em>, has been reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think I can speak for all project members, past and present, in sharing how rewarding it is to see the promise of PACE\u2019s advancements come to life,\u201d said Jeremy Werdell, PACE project scientist at NASA\u2019s Goddard Space Flight Center. \u201cOCI has started a true renaissance in aquatic ecosystem monitoring from space.\u201d<\/p>\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>NASA Earth Observatory maps and chart by Lauren Dauphin, using PACE and MODIS data courtesy of Lin Qi (NOAA), and Brian Barnes and Chuanmin Hu (University of South Florida, Optical Oceanography Laboratory). Story by Kathryn Hansen.<\/em><\/p>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-file-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module align wp-block-nasa-blocks-file-list\">\n<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n<div class=\"grid-row width-full margin-bottom-4\">\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\t\tDownloads\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col display-flex flex-align-center desktop:flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-row hds-file-list-row\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail hds-file-list-thumbnail\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-thumbnail-inner hds-file-list-thumbnail-inner hds-cover-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2818\" height=\"1879\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=2818&#038;h=1879&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"Map of the Atlantic Ocean showing Sargassum density from low (blue) to high (red) in June 2026, with the highest concentrations in the tropical Atlantic.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" data-video-loop=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=2818&#038;h=1879&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2818w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=300&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=768&#038;h=512&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=683&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1366&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=400&#038;h=267&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=600&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=900&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=800&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1334&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2818px) 100vw, 2818px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-details\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-name hds-file-list-name\">\n<h2 class=\"heading-22\">June 2026<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta\">\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-list-date hds-file-list-date\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-meta-item hds-file-list-filetype\">\n<p class=\"p-sm\">JPEG (2.43 MB)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-list-cta hds-file-list-download\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a aria-label=\"Download June 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/content\/dam\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/sizing-up-the-sargassum-belt\/sargassum_pace_202606_lrg.jpg\"  download rel=\"noopener\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle cx=\"16\" cy=\"16.0001\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1C67E3\"\/><path d=\"M15.2357 8.00007L15.2357 16.4829L11.9504 13.4078L10.8801 14.4094L16.0001 19.2001L21.1201 14.4094L20.0499 13.4078L16.7645 16.4829L16.7645 8.00007L15.2357 8.00007Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M9.6 20.8001V18.4001H8V22.4001H24V18.4001H22.4V20.8001H9.6Z\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References &#038; Resources<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>NASA Earth Observatory (2023, April 8) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-massive-seaweed-bloom-in-the-atlantic-151188\/\" rel=\"noopener\">A Massive Seaweed Bloom in the Atlantic<\/a>. Accessed July 28, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>NASA Earth Observatory (2019, July 9) <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/scientists-discover-the-biggest-seaweed-bloom-in-the-world-145281\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Scientists Discover the Biggest Seaweed Bloom in the World<\/a>. Accessed July 28, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Qi, L., <em>et al<\/em>. (2026) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.rse.2025.115185\" rel=\"noopener\">Hyperspectral OCI\/PACE observations of the Atlantic\u00a0Sargassum<\/a>. <em>Remote Sensing of Environment<\/em>, 334, 115185.<\/li>\n<li>University of South Florida, College of Marine Science (2026, June 30) <a href=\"https:\/\/optics.marine.usf.edu\/projects\/SaWS\/pdf\/Sargassum_outlook_2026_bulletin06_USF.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\">Outlook of 2026 <em>Sargassum<\/em> blooms<\/a>. Accessed July 28, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>University of South Florida, Optical Oceanography Laboratory (2026, July) <a href=\"https:\/\/optics.marine.usf.edu\/projects\/saws.html\" rel=\"noopener\">Satellite-based Sargassum Watch System (SaWS)<\/a>. Accessed July 28, 2026.<\/li>\n<li>Zhang, Y., <em>et al<\/em>. (2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41561-025-01863-5\" rel=\"noopener\">Dramatic decline of\u00a0Sargassum\u00a0in the north Sargasso Sea since 2015<\/a>. <em>Nature Geoscience<\/em>, 18, 1266\u20131272.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-content-lists-inner hds-module hds-module-full alignfull wp-block-nasa-blocks-content-lists\">\n<div id=\"content-list-0268dd26-f9d3-46fe-a67c-7ba39a198831\" class=\"hds-content-lists margin-y-3 padding-x-0 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full\" 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class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-3\">\n<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-start margin-bottom-3\">\n<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n<h2 class=\"section-heading-sm line-height-sm\">You may also be interested in:<\/h2>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-2 maxh-tablet\">Stay up-to-date with the latest content from NASA as we explore the universe and discover more about our home planet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0 margin-0 flex-justify-center\">\n<div class=\" grid-col-12\">\n<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\" style=\"display: block\">\n<div id=\"filter-tags\" class=\"grid-col-12 filter-tags-container\"><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"smd-orbit-loader\" role=\"status\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"orbit-plane\"><span class=\"orbit-dot\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"post-list-container\" 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src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/color-off-the-mid-atlantic-coast\/eastcoastbloom_amo_20260503_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/color-off-the-mid-atlantic-coast\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">Color Off the Mid-Atlantic Coast<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    4 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Something is brewing in shallow waters offshore of Delaware, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/a-turquoise-tint-for-the-black-sea\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" 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class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    3 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Phytoplankton added a milky blue hue to the waters of the Black Sea and nearby waterways in spring and summer\u2026<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item content-list-item-post\">\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/el-nino-is-underway\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-thumbnail\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  content-list-thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"300px\" height=\"300px\" data-no-id=\"true\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/el-ni\u00f1o-is-underway\/elnino_sen6_20260608_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;w=300 300w\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/2026\/el-ni%C3%B1o-is-underway\/elnino_sen6_20260608_th.jpg?fit=clip&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint&#038;%23038;w=300\" ><\/figure>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-inner\">\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/earth-observatory\/el-nino-is-underway\/\" class=\"hds-content-item-heading\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-a11y-heading-22\">El Ni\u00f1o Is Underway<\/div>\n<p>            <\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-content-item-readtime label margin-bottom-1\">\n                    4 min read                <\/div>\n<p class=\"margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">Satellite observations of sea surface height indicated that the 2026 event continued to strengthen in early June.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-auto\"><svg version=\"1.1\" class=\"square-2 margin-right-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"16px\" height=\"16px\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 16 16;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><g><path d=\"M8,0C3.5,0-0.1,3.7,0,8.2C0.1,12.5,3.6,16,8,16c4.4,0,8-3.6,8-8C16,3.5,12.4,0,8,0z M8,15.2 C4,15.2,0.8,12,0.8,8C0.8,4,4,0.8,8,0.8c3.9,0,7.2,3.2,7.2,7.1C15.2,11.9,12,15.2,8,15.2z\"\/><path d=\"M5.6,12c0.8-0.8,1.6-1.6,2.4-2.4c0.8,0.8,1.6,1.6,2.4,2.4c0-2.7,0-5.3,0-8C8.8,4,7.2,4,5.6,4 C5.6,6.7,5.6,9.3,5.6,12z\"\/><\/g><\/g><\/svg><span>Article<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"pagination-container\" class=\"pagination\">\n<nav class=\"hds-pagination hds-pagination--content-lists\" role=\"navigation\" aria-label=\"Pagination Navigation\" data-mid-size=\"2\" data-end-size=\"1\" data-max-pages=\"4\" >\n<span aria-current=\"page\" class=\"page-numbers current\" aria-label=\"Current Page, Page 1\" aria-current=\"true\" 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https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2048&#038;h=1153&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2048w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=400&#038;h=225&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=600&#038;h=338&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=900&#038;h=507&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=675&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w, https:\/\/assets.science.nasa.gov\/dynamicimage\/assets\/science\/esd\/eo\/images\/iotd\/iotd-banner.jpg?w=2000&#038;h=1126&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2500px) 100vw, 2500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/explore\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Explore Earth Science<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;%23038;fit=clip&#038;%23038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1920&#038;h=1920&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 150w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=300&#038;h=300&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=768&#038;h=768&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1024&#038;h=1024&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1536&#038;h=1536&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=50&#038;h=50&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 50w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=100&#038;h=100&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 100w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=200&#038;h=200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 200w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=400&#038;h=400&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=600&#038;h=600&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=900&#038;h=900&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/NHQ202212160009\/NHQ202212160009~large.jpg?w=1200&#038;h=1200&#038;fit=crop&#038;crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/a><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/earth\/data\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\" rel=\"noopener\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Earth Science Data<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"margin-bottom-0 margin-top-2 color-carbon-20-important\">Open access to NASA\u2019s archive of Earth science data<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png 3600w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=300,150 300w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=768,384 768w, https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/biosphere-sea-2008-lrg.png?resize=1024,512 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