Scripps Oceanography
2023 Annual Impact Report

Research Highlights

Chasing Atmospheric Rivers to Improve Forecasts and Water Supply Reliability

The 2022-2023 rainy season was one for the record books in California. Seven atmospheric rivers classified as "strong" or greater dumped rain and snow on California during the 2022-2023 rainy season, with 46 total atmospheric rivers making landfall along the U.S. West Coast, lifting the majority of the state out of drought conditions and causing disastrous flooding. 

Improvements in studying and forecasting atmospheric rivers have been led by the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), particularly via their Atmospheric River Reconnaissance (AR Recon) program. This program brings together the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the California Dept. of Water Resources, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, and the U.S. Air Force Reserve 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron “Hurricane Hunters” to intercept atmospheric river storms to collect data that improves forecasts. 

In Water Year 2022-2023, the AR Recon program orchestrated 51 NOAA and Air Force “Hurricane Hunter” flights, successfully deploying 1,380 dropsondes over atmospheric river storms in the North Pacific. The data collected from these flights is incorporated in real-time into global forecast models, and is invaluable to flood control managers, water supply authorities, and reservoir operators, who use the updated forecasts to prepare for and mitigate flooding or take advantage of the water supplied by atmospheric rivers. 

These improved forecasts are leading to increased water supply reliability, with reports showing up to 20% more water capable of being stored at Lake Mendocino in Sonoma County, and the capability of up to 23,000 acre-feet of additional groundwater recharge at Southern California’s Prado Dam, which is enough water for over 180,000 people per year. 

“Climate models suggest atmospheric rivers are only going to become more important as hazards and as water sources, making efforts like ours to better forecast and understand them an essential facet of adapting to our world’s changing climate,” said Marty Ralph, founding director of CW3E. 

Read more on CW3E’s Atmospheric River Reconnaissance Program.

California’s Salton Sea Staving Off Earthquakes

New research finds that as the Salton Sea in Southern California has dried up, it has stabilized the southern section of the San Andreas Fault, perhaps delaying the next “big one.” This section of the fault poses the largest seismic hazard in all of California because of the damage a significant earthquake could cause to the populous Los Angeles metropolitan area.

For the last 1,000 years or so, the southern San Andreas Fault went around 180 years between major earthquakes, but it’s now been more than 300 years. Yuri Fialko, the study’s co-author and professor of geophysics at Scripps, described the southern San Andreas as “locked and loaded” for a big shake that could cause an estimated 1,800 deaths and $200 billion in damage if it strikes at a magnitude of 7.8.

Using computer modeling, the research team found that when the Salton Sea basin filled with water to form the prehistoric Lake Cahuilla, its weight bent the surrounding crust and its water penetrated deep underground, each of which altered the forces acting on the fault in ways that could help trigger a massive rupture and severe shaking. 

The research, funded by the Southern California Earthquake Center, National Science Foundation, NASA, and the U.S. Geological Survey, suggests that the relationship between big-time seismic activity and the filling of the Salton Sea basin may also help explain why the southern section of the San Andreas Fault is long overdue for its next major shakeup. 

Read more on this collaborative research with San Diego State University.

Scientists Awarded Funding to Develop Model to Predict Pathogens in Imperial Beach 

For decades, California’s southernmost coastline has been ravaged by discharges of trash, sediment and wastewater, including dangerous pathogens and chemicals flowing up from Mexico and through the Tijuana River. In August 2023, the state of California awarded Scripps Oceanography $3 million to develop a model to forecast the presence of pathogens in San Diego's coastal and tidal waters. 

The Tijuana River Estuary and Coastal Ocean Pathogen Forecast Model aims to predict the presence of bacterial and viral pathogens from untreated sewage in estuary and coastal waters, which can inform decision-makers when beach closures are necessary as the region works to address cross-border sewage pollution. 

The project will involve an interdisciplinary team of biological and physical oceanographers working together to develop the estuary and coastal ocean pathogen forecast model. Scientists at Scripps have already developed a physical model showing how ocean and estuary currents and contaminated wastewater are transported along the coast. This three-year program aims to expand to include pathogen modeling, data assimilation and forecast capabilities in real-time. 

The program will also fund regular and event-based water sampling at beach and coastal locations to pinpoint the types of pathogens in the water and their abundance. 

“I’ve been studying pollution transport in the border ocean region for 15 years and seen and experienced the impacts of untreated sewage in the ocean firsthand,” said Falk Feddersen, a physical oceanographer at Scripps. “We are very excited to develop this pathogen forecast model that will provide information to residents and tourists and reduce human health risks on both sides of the border.”

Read more on this pathogen forecast model here.

ALERTCalifornia AI Fire Detection Program TIME Magazine Invention of the Year  

Expanding beyond wildfire camera technology, in 2023 ALERTCalifornia collaborated with CAL FIRE to create a new artificial intelligence tool with the goal of improving firefighting capabilities and response times. The tool has proven so effective, TIME magazine named it one of the best inventions of 2023. The annual list features 200 extraordinary inventions that change lives.

When AI spots a potential fire on ALERTCalifornia’s network of more than 1,060 cameras, the system alerts firefighters and provides a percentage of certainty and estimated location for the incident. If the incident is vetted and confirmed by trained watchstanders, firefighters respond quickly to extinguish the fire at the incipient phase.

The AI tool — developed by UC San Diego researchers, CAL FIRE and Digital Path — became available to all 21 CAL FIRE 911 Dispatch Centers in September 2023. This new tool is especially effective in spotting anomalies in remote locations and is proven effective at night, even alerting firefighters before 911 calls.

“CAL FIRE remains resolute in our mission to protect the people and natural resources of California, and our collaboration with ALERTCalifornia is a testament to our relentless pursuit of innovative solutions. Together, we are shaping a safer and more secure future for our state,” said CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler.

ALERTCalifornia is a public safety program comprised of a multidisciplinary team based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Jacobs School of Engineering, and the Qualcomm Institute.

BIRCH AQUARIUM

Securing the Future of Seadragons

A leader in seadragon care and conservation, Birch Aquarium has been studying the secrets of seadragons both in the wild and at the aquarium for more than two decades. This year the aquarium welcomed a bounty of baby Weedy Seadragons, an incredible feat only a handful of facilities have accomplished.

This monumental milestone also marked the first time in aquarium history that eggs were transferred in the Seadragons & Seahorses habitat. Like seahorses, seadragon males — not females — are responsible for carrying eggs. An egg transfer is quick and occurs only after the seadragons participate in an elaborate courtship.

The hope is that captive breeding programs will lead to fewer seadragons being collected from their native habitat, which is already under increasing pressure due to climate change.

Saving the Critically Endangered Sunflower Star

A mysterious Sea Star Wasting Disease has swept across the West Coast for almost a decade, causing a mass die-off of sea stars particularly in warming waters. It hit Sunflower Sea Stars the hardest, nearly driving them to extinction. However, hope is on the horizon for the critically endangered Sunflower Sea Star thanks to a groundbreaking collaborative effort among accredited aquariums, zoos and research laboratories.

In October, Birch Aquarium successfully spawned three male Sunflower Stars, the latest success in a collaborative effort to help reproduce and eventually reestablish populations on the West Coast. The aquarium shared this genetic material with numerous organizations to increase the genetic diversity of Sunflower Star populations with the long-term goal of reproducing and eventually reestablishing populations on the West Coast.

Birch Aquarium Numbers Fiscal Year '22-'23

523,703 total attendance (all-time record)
366 schools served 
41,000 total students served 
22,000+ students received financial aid
$375,000 total scholarship dollars given (all-time record!)

Equity, Diversity and inclusion

Scripps Partners with Bridge Builders Foundation to
Expose Youth of Color to Opportunities in Higher Education 

In August 2023, the Bridge Builders Foundation visited Scripps for the second year as part of the foundation’s marine science program for high school students. This program at Scripps is designed to help bridge the socioeconomic gap in STEM education by exposing youth of color to a broad range of possibilities in higher education.   

Bridge Builders is a nonprofit organization based out of Los Angeles that seeks to remove barriers of race, poverty, ignorance and despair through youth mentoring and educational support. 

“This partnership with Bridge Builders highlights the inclusive and immersive experiences Scripps, Birch Aquarium and UC San Diego are committed to providing as a means of increasing access to science and education in ways that are culturally relevant and impactful for communities of color,” said Scripps Director of Diversity Initiatives Keiara Auzenne. 

Students stayed in UC San Diego dorms, participated in activities related to Scripps science and research, and learned about academic and science career opportunities directly from professionals at Scripps and NOAA. Youth gained insight into research and careers in earth, ocean and atmospheric sciences, as well as into the college student experience.

Learn more about the Bridge Builders and Scripps partnership.

First Cohort Completes the Scripps SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program

The first cohort of seven students completed the Scripps SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program and received their scientific diver certification. 

To make the diving community a more inclusive and diverse space, then-PhD candidates Erica Ferrer and Alyssa Griffin launched the SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program at Scripps in the fall of 2022 with support from Scripps Director of Diversity Initiatives Keiara Auzenne and Dive Safety Officer Christian McDonald. Students in the program receive access to scientific diver training, SCUBA gear, mentorship and swimming proficiency lessons for those who have limited experience in the water. 

This program promotes Scripps’ efforts to educate and respond to the needs of a diverse and dynamic student body and also opens doors for future scientists of color and those from underrepresented groups to gain access to research opportunities where diver certification often presents an insurmountable barrier.

“As a mentor, it has been incredible to see the first cohort of fellows become divers and help to build a sense of community within the program,” said Ferrer. “Seeing the fellows excel in the diving community reminds me why we created this program in the first place and why we will continue creating opportunities for future generations of students over the years.”

SCUBA training for the second cohort is currently underway. Learn more about the SCUBA DIVERsity Fellowship Program and meet the first cohort in this story.

SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY RESEARCH VESSELS

California Coastal Hydrogen-Hybrid Vessel Design Advances 

Earlier this year, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins stopped by UC San Diego’s Nimitz Marine Facility to learn about progress on Scripps’ innovative new California Coastal Research Vessel (CCRV) in development. The vessel is being designed with a hydrogen-hybrid propulsion system that will enable it to operate with zero-emission capabilities, a first-of-its-kind system in the maritime industry. 

As naval architect Glosten finalizes the design, other key equipment suppliers came into place this year with Ballard Power Systems selected to provide the fuel cells that will power the vessel, and Chart Industries selected for the cryogenic tank and gas system that will supply liquid hydrogen to the fuel cells — both essential components of a hydrogen-fuel-cell propulsion system. CCRV will be the first liquid hydrogen-powered ship in America, requiring an entirely new regulatory framework, and we have made important progress with the U.S. Coast Guard and the classification society (American Bureau of Shipping) to establish the technical standards for the construction and operation of hydrogen-powered ships, which will be precedent-setting.

Additionally, in October, the Department of Energy (DOE) chose California as one of seven hydrogen hubs, regions where the agency will fund coordinated networks of hydrogen fuel producers, purveyors and consumers. A University of California-backed consortium called the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES, managed the state’s application to DOE, and will steer up to $1.2 billion in federal funding toward 39 hydrogen infrastructure projects up and down the state, including CCRV, a Tier 1 marquee project.

“We are proud to be part of ARCHES, and part of California’s transition away from fossil fuels and towards a clean, sustainable energy ecosystem,” said Bruce Appelgate, Scripps Oceanography’s Associate Director and head of ship operations. “Hydrogen is an essential element in the hard-to-decarbonize maritime industry, and ARCHES is providing the platform to leverage DOE funding to create an economically-sustainable hydrogen network here. Our involvement with ARCHES enables us to fulfill the Scripps mission of taking students to sea and giving them their first-ever experience on the water, and with CCRV, we’ll do that using an inspirational, zero-emission vessel.”

Read more about ARCHES. 

GIVING IMPACT

Scripps Brings Ocean Science to COP28

The University of California is an observer organization accredited by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which for many years has enabled Scripps Oceanography to attend and participate in the world’s most influential climate change conference, known as Conference of Parties, or COP.  

In 2023, UC San Diego sent a delegation of nearly 30 students, staff and faculty to COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For the second year, Scripps Oceanography co-organized the Ocean Pavilion, a space which brings together world leaders in ocean science, engineering, policy and philanthropy to highlight the ocean’s critical role in offering climate solutions, and raise awareness of the ocean’s influence on climate. The COP28 student delegation and Ocean Pavilion is generously supported by Logitech and others. Logitech is a global technology and design company committed to sustainable practices. This support ensures the Scripps Oceanography delegation is able to participate, inform and engage in these important global discussions.

Scripps and Ocean Pavilion co-organizers Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution also spearheaded the creation of the Dubai Ocean Declaration to emphasize the need for ocean science and call on climate negotiators to prioritize observations as critical for understanding ongoing global climate changes. The declaration was signed by more than 120 global organizations, including The Vatican. 

Biomedical Automation Facility in Development

Advances in biomedical technology now make it possible for society to benefit from marine life without harming fragile ecosystems, utilizing the unique properties of marine compounds for pharmaceutical applications. Scripps Oceanography has played a pioneering role in developing drugs from the sea, resulting in the development of new therapeutics for treating many human diseases, including the brain cancer glioblastoma. 

Now thanks to two significant contributions, Scripps is on its way to constructing a scientific facility that will level up the capacity to identify and develop new compounds for clinical testing. Genetic sequencing equipment donated in-kind by Illumina will provide the scientific horsepower for experimentation, while a generous philanthropic commitment kicks off fundraising for a remarkable facility to house this equipment and integrate scientific activities into a seamless, automated workflow.

The proposed Biomedical Automation Facility (BAF) is modeled on resources common in private industry, but rarely found in academia. Genetic sequencing equipment will be leveraged by robotic assemblies preparing and conveying samples rapidly, optimizing access and speeding up the discovery process and helping train the next generation. 

For more information on the opportunity to support this groundbreaking new facility, please contact Jini Bernstein Archibald at jbarchibald@ucsd.edu or (858) 395-7799.