The unique ecosystems and biodiversity associated with mid-ocean ridge (MOR) hydrothermal vent systems contrast sharply with surrounding deep-sea habitats, however both may be increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activity (e.g., mining activities at massive sulphide deposits). Climate change can alter the deep-sea through increased bottom temperatures, loss of oxygen, and modifications to deep water circulation. Despite the potential of these profound impacts, the mechanisms enabling these systems and their ecosystems to persist, function and respond to oceanic, crustal, and anthropogenic forces remain poorly understood. This is due primarily to technological challenges and difficulties in accessing, observing and monitoring the deep-sea. In this context, the development of deep-sea observatories in the 2000s focused on understanding the coupling between sub-surface flow and oceanic and crustal conditions, and how they influence biological processes. Deep-sea observatories provide
The Azores pole-and-line fishery has become the world’s first “plastic neutral” fishery by removing more plastic from the ocean than it loses per year.
The volcanic alert is at Level 4, meaning there is a "real possibility" the volcano could erupt. But when, where on the island and if it will actually happen are questions that remain unanswered.
the islamic state group said it carried out the shootings. israeli officials say the gunmen, both arab israelis, were themselves shot dead in the town of hadera. the us secretary of state antony blinken has been attending the summit in the negev desert. the portuguese island of saojorge, in the azores archipelago off the atlantic coast, is on alert after over a thousand small earthquakes since saturday. officials say this could signal an earthquake or a volcanic eruption. the last major earthquake in the azores was in 1980 which killed more than 60 people. a huge wildfire has engulfed an island off the west coast of scotland. it happened on gruinard island, which was used for biological experiments during world war two. the scottish fire and rescue service had released warnings about wildfires, following a spell of dry weather.
Increased volcanic activities from Atlantic volcanoes and the continuance of earthquake swarms prompted local authorities in the Azores to ramp up evacuation measures.