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Envisat fishes up facts behind Chilean giant squid invasion

22 March 2004

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This beached jumbo flyung squid is a mysterious deep sea visitor to the Chilean coastline, one of hundreds making a surprise appearance during February 2004, alarming local fishermen. But Envisat AATSR data has shed light on the mystery.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

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Pictures of the many beached jumbo flying squid were taken by a Mariscope Chilena team. The squids' mysterious arrival on the shores of southern Chile is due to change in currents seen from Envisat in space.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

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Sea Surface Temperature data from Envisat's AATSR for 12 February 2004. The channel between the mainland and the big island of Chiloé is called the Chacao Channel and it is here that SST changes took place.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

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Sea Surface Temperature data from Envisat's AATSR for 25 February 2004. The channel between the mainland and the big island of Chiloé is called the Chacao Channel and it is here that SST changes took place - compare to the previous image.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

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Zoom of the area of study for the two dates, 12 February 2004 and 25 February 2004. The squids first appeared in Ancud - marked by the red pin. The sea surface values for the area marked by the number one sky-blue pin are as follows: 12.71 ºC on 12 February; 15.29 ºC on 25 February. The sea surface values for the area marked by the number two dark-blue pin are as follows: 11.65 ºC on 12 February; 12.67 ºC on 25 February.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

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The success of using Envisat sea surface temperature results to account for the Jumbo Flying Squids' arrival means it may be possible to predict such events in future. The Mariscope Chilena team is using Envisat results including SST to investigate whether a harmful phytoplankton bloom service is feasible, to aid the country's fish farming sector.

Credits: Mariscope Chilena

Envisat concludes a busy second year in orbit Over land, sea and air, users give MERIS high marks