Hydrosphere

Hilo, Hawaii - Hilo Bay

Here we see a localized representation of the chlorophyll distribution

around the big island of Hawaii. Notice the lack of high chlorophyll in and
around Hilo bay. This phenomenon is due to the fact that Hilo bay is a
tsunami magnet due to the propensity of Hilo bay attracting storm surges
from seismic effects as from far away as Argentina. These strong storm
surges blast plankton and algae out of the bay, eliminating large swaths of
chlorophyll. Hilo bay was formed by the result of volcanic activity. The
Pana`ewa flow is an undersea and overland lava flow nearly 67 square miles
in size that originates from the Mauna Loa Volcano which erupted, according
to radiocarbon analysis of the coral in Hilo bay, around 650 AD. The reefs and
undersea barriers of Hilo bay was formed by the hardening of lava as it
cooled in reaction to seawater. A man made breakwater was erected in 1908

to allow for lager ships to dock in the bay. Coconut Island was also formed by
the Pana`ewa flow.
Sources:
http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch/archive/1999/99_12_16.html
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/coasts/publications/hawaiiCoastline/hawaii.html

Here we see a regional representation of chlorophyll distribution of the

entire Hawaiian island chain. Similarly to Hilo bay, notice the lack of
chlorophyll on the southeastern shorelines on the different islands. This is,
once again, due to prevailing storm surges from the Americas. Notice how
the Big Island serves as a storm break for the other islands, and the surges
route themselves around to make land fall at the most efficient point. The
areas with high levels of chlorophyll are located in places shielded from
Tsunamis and storm surges, allowing for an abundance of life to complete
photosynthesis and produce chlorophyll.

Sources:
http://www.ospo.noaa.gov/Products/ocean/color/swir_chla_anomaly.html
http://oos.soest.hawaii.edu/erddap/griddap/erdMHchla8day.html

Here we see a globalized perspective of chlorophyll distribution world

wide, along with ocean current patterns that illustrate how storm surges
travel east to west, towards Hawaii and specifically Hilo bay. Note the large
concentrations of chlorophyll located in cold water environments such as the
Alaskan and Siberian coasts. This is indicative of cold water being an efficient
environment for the development and prosperity of algae and plankton in
such a cold environment. Its no wonder that Humpback whales choose such
environments as feeding grounds for its abundance of nutrient rich food.
Sources:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/GlobalMaps/view.php?
d1=MY1DMM_CHLORA&d2=MYD28M
https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/General/chloro.html