Oceans

KUOW Newsroom

Ship that spilled 100+ containers could have ridden out the storm in sheltered waters

The ship that spilled more than 100 shipping containers off the Washington coast was in a holding pattern on the open ocean when it could have ridden out the storm in sheltered waters.

KUOW Newsroom

Big shippers promise zero carbon by 2040. Too late, say climate activists

Major shippers including Amazon and Ikea say they will stop putting their stuff on ships that burn fossil fuels in the next 20 years.

KUOW Newsroom

Ship that spilled 40 containers off Olympic Peninsula catches fire. Spills 2 more

“You have been advised to evacuate the entire vessel,” a coast guard official radioed the captain. “All crew members and captain included. Over.” “Negative, sir,” the captain replied from the burning ship.

Navy steams ahead with sonar tests despite state opposition, orca impacts

Over the objections of Washington state officials and orca advocates, the U.S. Navy is steaming ahead with a plan for seven more years of testing sonar and explosives off the Northwest coast.

Washington state bans polystyrene foam, clamps down on other plastics

The new law, signed Monday by Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, restricts restaurants’ use of disposable plastic items, requires recycled content in some plastic bottles and bags, and bans most uses of polystyrene foam, including cups, clamshell containers, packing peanuts, and coolers.

KUOW Newsroom

LISTEN: Whale songs reveal map of Earth's crust

Scientists have used one of the loudest sounds in nature to map Earth’s crust. It’s the song of the fin whale.

14 baby sea stars are tiny bundles of hope for their critically endangered species

To save a critically endangered species, sometimes you have to cut off one of its arms.