02/07/2008 10:47. (NASA) - Hurricanes aren’t the only hazards spinning up in the Gulf of Mexico — they have a liquid counterpart in the waters below called ocean eddies. Offshore industries, such as oil and gas companies, have to keep a weather eye on both. In a worst-case scenario, they could find themselves caught between the two. Satellite altimetry is helping government and industry manage those risks.

Satellite ocean observations are a standard part of marine operations around the world. Keeping track of local currents is critical for daily operations. And in the Gulf of Mexico, that means knowing the location of the Loop Current and its dangerous eddies.

The Loop Current, which is part of the Gulf Stream, begins as a large flow of warm water from the Caribbean. It heads up into the eastern... // Space Fellowship