Media contributions
2Media contributions
Title Eye in sky could save lives Degree of recognition Regional Media name/outlet Manchester Evening News Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 10/12/07 Description A SATELLITE system capable of penetrating thick cloud could help prevent future tragedies in Morecambe Bay. The coastal area is one of the biggest inter-tidal mud flats in Europe, stretching up to 15 miles from the shore, and it can be submerged in less than an hour.
A SATELLITE system capable of penetrating thick cloud could help prevent future tragedies in Morecambe Bay.
The coastal area is one of the biggest inter-tidal mud flats in Europe, stretching up to 15 miles from the shore, and it can be submerged in less than an hour.
Even when the tide is out the shifting waters can create deadly fields of quicksand.
A total of 23 Chinese immigrant cockle pickers died after being caught by the rising tide in 2004.
But researchers at the University of Manchester have harnessed new technology that will allow rescuers to react more quickly and surely than ever before.
Although well equipped, coastguards and lifeboat crews in the region need to avoid quicksand "danger zones" in the 310 square kilometres bay.
But because of the twice-daily tides the location of these no-go areas is constantly changing as the gullies and tributaries are moved by the tides.
Researchers Dr Camie Kitmitto and Gail Millin, who are experts in geographical imaging at the University, hit upon the idea of using the latest satellite technology to give rescuers regularly updated "road maps" of the bay, allowing them to navigate the safest route through the perilous flats.
They have been requesting information from a European Space Agency satellite orbiting 450 miles above the planet.
Launched last year the Envisat probe is capable of taking modern radar photographs which can punch through even heavy cloud to deliver a detailed picture of the earth showing high and low lying areas.Producer/Author Yakub Qureshi URL https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/eye-in-sky-could-save-lives-1013607 Persons Gail Millin-Chalabi, Kamie Kitmitto Title New hope in fight against Morecambe's killing tide Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet The University of Manchester News Media type Web Country/Territory United Kingdom Date 10/12/07 Description Maps generated by satellite images which use radar to penetrate thick cloud cover are to be used to prevent future tragedies in Morecambe Bay. Producer/Author Michael Addelman URL https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/new-hope-in-fight-against-morecambes-killing-tide/ Persons Gail Millin-Chalabi, Kamie Kitmitto