The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has concluded that Japan’s plans to release radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean are consistent with international safety standards. In a report published on July 4 (pdf), the IAEA, a United Nations body, said that the findings followed a comprehensive assessment and safety review of…

Scattered around the coasts of the world are ticking time bombs, so far virtually unknown to the public; 6,300 wrecks, sunk in World War II, have been rusting away in the sea for over 70 years. The threat they pose goes way beyond all the oil spill catastrophes ever experienced. In 1989, the tanker Exxon…

A United Airlines flight suddenly took a steep dive shortly after take off from a Hawaiian airport, plunging 1,400 feet to within 775 feet of the Pacific Ocean. The incident happened on Dec. 18, just 71 seconds after United Flight UA1722 took off from Kahului Airport at 2:49 p.m. local time from the island of…

A new island has emerged in the southwest Pacific Ocean after an underwater volcano near Tonga erupted, though its existence may only be transitory, according to NASA’s Earth Observatory. The Home Reef volcano in the Central Tonga Islands began to erupt on Sept. 10, oozing lava, emitting steam and ash, and discoloring the surrounding water….

Nainoa Thompson did not set out to rewrite history. He just wanted to go for an adventure. But he accomplished both. Decades later, he’s now the most famous person in Hawaii and an icon to seafaring people around the world. Along the way, he learned a few things: Intense preparation surmounts risk. The riskiest action…

Relax for more than an hour and let your worries be replaced by stunning aerial views from some of New Zealand’s most beautiful and iconic locations, paired with a brand new ambient musical masterpiece. This video can be used to relax, sleep, meditate, do yoga, study, work, read, and more. New Zealand is an island…

Relax for an hour and let your worries be replaced by stunning aerial timelapse views from some of New Zealand’s most beautiful and iconic locations captured in ultra-high definition, paired with brand new motivational and relaxing epic music. New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the…

Commentary With the biggest maritime force on the planet, China is in a strong position to control the world’s oceans. Control comes in many forms. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is busily deploying fishing fleets to plunder the world’s oceans. The CCP is also rewriting the maritime rules of engagement. In many ways, the CCP has appointed itself…

In a game of chess that spans the globe, China seems to be winning. The United States doesn’t even realize it’s playing. Whoever controls the waters of the Pacific Ocean gains military power. China has been buying up islands in the region, paving the way for future military bases. Unlike news from the South China…

LIMA—Two people drowned off a beach in northern Peru, the local civil defense authority reported on Sunday, after unusually high waves were recorded in several coastal areas following Saturday’s eruption of an underwater volcano in Tonga in the Pacific Ocean. The death of two people by drowning occurred on Saturday on a beach located in…