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OUR OCEAN. OUR PLANET. OUR FUTURE.®

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.

😰 Feeling anxious about the election? Take a load off with these majestic #humpbackwhales! 🐳⁠
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Want more? We've got a full 20 minutes of diving and rolling in Caribbean waters waiting at the 🔗 in our bio!
🌊 It's not only Election Day in the US - it's also World #TsunamiAwareness Day!⁠
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In recognition of the catastrophic #tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in 20 years ago, take a moment to become aware of the risks and potentially life-saving measures you can take if a tidal wave hits your area.⁠
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📲 Tap the link in bio to use our #interactiveguide– it might just save your life! ⁠
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#GetToHighGround #TsunamiDay ⁠
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📸 courtesy of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Need a little escape today? 🪶⁠
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A black-browed #albatross soars through the mist near a breeding colony on New Island, #FalklandIslands. As a grad student, #WHOI postdoc Francesco Ventura monitored around 400 nests and outfitted several birds with GPS trackers to better understand their movements during breeding season. Albatross spend the majority of their lives at sea, and land only to mate– usually with the same partner for life.⁠
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📸 by Francesco Ventura © WHOI
💦 Did you know that a spoonful of seawater is home to millions of single-celled organisms?!⁠
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A new #WHOI-led study shows these microorganisms enjoy munching on carbon-rich fatty acid biomolecules. When these #smallbutmighty beings die, they sink into the deep ocean, taking all the carbon they’ve consumed with them!⁠
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📲Find out what this means for the Earth's #carboncycle from @americangeophysicalunion (🔗 in bio)⁠
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📸 Courtesy of @nasagoddard: The greens and blues of the ocean color from NASA satellite data provide new insights into how climate and ecosystem processes affect the growth cycles of phytoplankton—microscopic aquatic plants important for fish populations and Earth’s carbon cycle.⁠

OUR WORK

WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.

Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.

We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.

Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.

WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.

KNOW YOUR OCEAN

The ocean covers more than 2/3 of Earth's surface and is a fundamental reason why life exists on Earth-but yet many know so little about it. Dive in to learn more about our ocean planet.

EXPLORE WITH US

For nearly a century, WHOI has been one of the best known and most trusted names in ocean science and exploration. Become a part of the research that shapes our understanding of the ocean, our planet, and life on Earth.