Spills · oil

On july 20, 2026, the canadian ice service (cis), using a radar satellite constellation, detected an anomaly…

Anomaly In Norton Sound; Stebbins, Alaska · Stebbins, Ak · NOAAORR-11190

issued
2026-07-23 00:00Z
status
cancelled 2026-08-06 00:00Z
self-cancels
2026-08-06 00:00Z
authority
NOAA OR&R
sea
Bering Sea
position
63.563, -163.170
source
incidentnews · first seen 2026-09-03 15:09Z

Original warning text

Anomaly in Norton Sound; Stebbins, Alaska.
Stebbins, AK.
1. On July 20, 2026, the Canadian Ice Service (CIS), using a Radar Satellite Constellation, detected an anomaly in the waters of Norton Sound and notified the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). They believe it could possibly be an oil spill in the Sound. The anomaly is “well-contrasted against the ocean backscatter,” and approximately 7 km in length. The USCG requested that the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) contact NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) for their assessment of the observation. NESDIS scientists reported that the anomaly's characteristics indicate natural phenomena, such as organic material or algal blooms. They will continue to monitor the satellite imagery over the area to see if the anomaly dissipates or shifts, and they will update OR&R if their opinion changes.
2. THREAT: OIL.
3. POSITION 63.563N 163.170W. NOAA INCIDENTNEWS 11190: https://incidentnews.noaa.gov/incident/11190

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