Feature Earth

Dead Waters

Massive oxygen-starved zones are developing along the world's coasts

By Janet Raloff

- More than 2 years ago

First in a two part series on dead zones in coastal waters. Part II: “Limiting Dead Zones” is available to subscribers at Limiting Dead Zones.

SUFFOCATING STRETCH. Map depicts 20,700 square kilometers of the dead zone in the 2001 Gulf of Mexico. The zone probably extends farther west, but researchers ran out of money before they could finish charting that area.