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.
RECENT NEWS
An immersive twilight zone exhibit
An ARTECHOUSE and WHOI collaboration in Washington, D.C. is transporting visitors to a hidden layer of the ocean
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😰 Feeling anxious about the election? Take a load off with these majestic #humpbackwhales! 🐳
Want more? We`ve got a full 20 minutes of diving and rolling in Caribbean waters waiting at the 🔗 in our bio!
Nov 5
🌊 It`s not only Election Day in the US - it`s also World #TsunamiAwareness Day!
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.
📲 Tap the link in bio to use our #interactiveguide– it might just save your life!
#GetToHighGround #TsunamiDay
📸 courtesy of UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
Nov 5
Need a little escape today? 🪶
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.
📸 by Francesco Ventura © WHOI
Nov 5
⁉️Did you know that Weddell #seals can dive for up to 96 minutes at a time?! The question is, why do they do it?! 🦭
A new study from #WHOI scientists found that these Antarctic seals are very strategic about when they hunt. They actually take their longest, deepest dives early in the day–and stay closer to the surface during the light-filled midday. Scientists were surprised, because seals` prey tends to hide in deeper, darker water, which is challenging for visual hunters. But they realized that this strategy maximizes downtime between extreme dives, allowing seals to save the "easy" dives for mid-day and spend more time in the water overall.
📲 Dive deeper in @oceanographic_mag (link in bio)!
📸 @michelleshero © WHOI
Nov 4
💀 The Woods Hole community celebrated #díadelosmuertos, or #dayofthedead on Friday, honoring the departed while learning about this uniquely #Mexican #tradition.
Organized by the Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee, and the #WHOI #DEI Office, attendees were invited to leave pictures and mementos of their loved ones at a community altar while enjoying tamales, horchata, spiced coffee, and a live #mariachi band.
“The Day of the Dead is a tradition that celebrates the cycle of life and death, paying tribute to the departed in a colorful, vibrant, and deeply symbolic way," said WHOI research associate Paloma Lopez, who also leads a #latinx resource group. "It is a tradition that teaches us to embrace the full spectrum of life, to live life to the fullest, and to appreciate every moment we have with our loved ones."
💐 How do you celebrate the memories of those you have lost? Share in the comments!
📸 by Elise Hugus ©️ WHOI
Nov 4
💦 Did you know that a spoonful of seawater is home to millions of single-celled organisms?!
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!
📲Find out what this means for the Earth`s #carboncycle from @americangeophysicalunion (🔗 in bio)
📸 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.
Nov 3
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.
FEATURED PROJECTS
We have over 1,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff working around the globe and cutting edge laboratories to push the boundaries of knowledge about the ocean.
Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator
Bringing together industry, academia, and philanthropy to develop and accelerate new climate change solutions.
Ocean Twilight Zone
Exploring the globe-spanning region beneath the sunlit upper ocean where life thrives
Ocean Worlds
Discovering the links between life in our ocean and the search for life beyond Earth
Marine Microplastics Initiative
Investigating the fate of microplastics and their impacts on marine life and human health
Super Reefs
Searching for corals around the world to help ensure a future for reefs in a warming ocean
Ocean Observatories Initiative
The NSF-funded program measures physical, chemical, geological and biological properties from the seafloor to the air-sea interface.
HADEX
Research and exploration of the deepest parts of the ocean, Earth’s final frontier
Reef Solutions
Working to protect corals and reverse the global decline of reef ecosystems