Coastal Oceanography Blog Posts
Exploring The Science of Larval Dispersal
In a world where charismatic megafauna often capture the majority share of attention, microscopic marine larvae can sometimes end up overlooked. However, Dr.
What is Coastal Upwelling and Why is it Important?
Written by: Jenna Quan
Picture this: Stepping through the doors into the Great Hall of the Bodega Marine Laboratory, you are immediately greeted with a spectacular ocean view through the glass doors down the hall. You walk over to get a better view of the waves crashing into the rocky bluffs on the Reserve, open the doors, and… pow! A forceful gust of wind immediately swoops in to greet you. These strong winds in the springtime are one of the most iconic features of Bodega Bay and the rest of the northern California coastline - they are also the main driver of a phenomenon known as coastal upwelling.
Spotlight On: Dr. John Largier
John Largier is a Professor at the Bodega Marine Laboratory and an environmental oceanographer who is interested in ocean connectivity.
As associate director of the Coastal and Marine Sciences Institute, John Largier is known by many both inside and outside of CMSI, working in California as well as along the eastern boundaries of other continents. He grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and attended the University of Cape Town for both his B.S. in applied math and physics and his Ph.D. in oceanography. He is a professor of oceanography and leads the Coastal Oceanography Group at the Bodega Marine Laboratory.
Dr. Largier has a passion for studying the California coast. When asked about what was his field of research, Largier explained it as the study of water motion and water-borne transport: