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Sei whale mother and calf as seen from the air. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

Sei whale mother and calf as seen from the air. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

A humpback whale breaching. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

A humpback whale breaching. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

Three fin whales – also known as finback whales – swimming in the Atlantic. Fin whales are filter-feeders, feeding on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are also one of the fastest of cetaceans and can sustain speeds between 37 and 41 km/h (23 to 25 mph) and bursts up to 46 km/h (29 mph) have been recorded, earning the fin whale the nickname "the greyhound of the sea." Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

Three fin whales – also known as finback whales – swimming in the Atlantic. Fin whales are filter-feeders, feeding on small schooling fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are also one of the fastest of cetaceans and can sustain speeds between 37 and 41 km/h (23 to 25 mph) and bursts up to 46 km/h (29 mph) have been recorded, earning the fin whale the nickname

A blue whale cruises the waters off North Carolina. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

A blue whale cruises the waters off North Carolina. Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries.

Aves Island in the Caribbean Sea as seen from the International Space Station. This image is a rare, almost cloud free view of the island and the submerged fringing coral reef that surrounds it. The island itself currently stands a mere 4 m (13 ft) above the surrounding sea surface, and in high seas it can be completely submerged. While the low elevation of the island makes it a hazard to shipping, it also provides a major nesting site for green sea turtles. Several Caribbean nations dispute Venezuela's claim to the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Aves Island in the Caribbean Sea as seen from the International Space Station. This image is a rare, almost cloud free view of the island and the submerged fringing coral reef that surrounds it. The island itself currently stands a mere 4 m (13 ft) above the surrounding sea surface, and in high seas it can be completely submerged. While the low elevation of the island makes it a hazard to shipping, it also provides a major nesting site for green sea turtles. Several Caribbean nations dispute Venezuela's claim to the island. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The coral-fringed island of Bonaire is located some 80 km (50 mi) north of Venezuela; its landscape is semi-desert. Tourism is one of the most important industries of the island. Diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular recreational sport activities. Image courtesy of NASA.

The coral-fringed island of Bonaire is located some 80 km (50 mi) north of Venezuela; its landscape is semi-desert. Tourism is one of the most important industries of the island. Diving and snorkeling are two of the most popular recreational sport activities. Image courtesy of NASA.

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda are the four main islands (front to back) in this east-looking view of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. For this view, a nearly cloud-free Landsat image was draped over radar elevation data, and shading was added to enhance the topographic expression. Elevation is shown with 1.5x scaled vertical exaggeration. Coral reefs fringe the islands in many locations and appear as very light shades of blue. Tropical vegetation appears green, while developed areas appear in shades of brown and white. Image credit: NASA, JPL, and NIMA.

St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda are the four main islands (front to back) in this east-looking view of the US Virgin Islands and British Virgin Islands. For this view, a nearly cloud-free Landsat image was draped over radar elevation data, and shading was added to enhance the topographic expression. Elevation is shown with 1.5x scaled vertical exaggeration. Coral reefs fringe the islands in many locations and appear as very light shades of blue. Tropical vegetation appears green, while developed areas appear in shades of brown and white. Image credit: NASA, JPL, and NIMA.

The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat produced a plume of volcanic ash and/or steam on 1 October 2006, part of a continuing pattern of intermittent eruptions. In this image, the island of Montserrat shows an area outlined in red - the thermal hotspot. The plume of volcanic ash blows westward over the Caribbean Sea, gradually dissipating as it moves away. No recorded eruptions of the volcano occurred before 1995, but since then, volcanic ash emissions have posed recurring health hazards for Montserrat's residents. Photo courtesy of NASA.

The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat produced a plume of volcanic ash and/or steam on 1 October 2006, part of a continuing pattern of intermittent eruptions. In this image, the island of Montserrat shows an area outlined in red - the thermal hotspot. The plume of volcanic ash blows westward over the Caribbean Sea, gradually dissipating as it moves away. No recorded eruptions of the volcano occurred before 1995, but since then, volcanic ash emissions have posed recurring health hazards for Montserrat's residents. Photo courtesy of NASA.

A view of Puerto Rico (upper left) and the isles of the Lesser Antilles. The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat began emitting steam and ash on 9 February 2006. Low-level activity continued for several days. The volcano produced another plume on 20 March 2006, which is captured on this image. The volcano's pale beige ash plume blows westward over the Caribbean Sea. The red outline shows where the satellite detected a thermal anomaly, an area where the ground surface was significantly hotter than its surroundings. Image courtesy of NASA.

A view of Puerto Rico (upper left) and the isles of the Lesser Antilles. The Soufriere Hills Volcano on the island of Montserrat began emitting steam and ash on 9 February 2006. Low-level activity continued for several days. The volcano produced another plume on 20 March 2006, which is captured on this image. The volcano's pale beige ash plume blows westward over the Caribbean Sea. The red outline shows where the satellite detected a thermal anomaly, an area where the ground surface was significantly hotter than its surroundings. Image courtesy of NASA.

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