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
Next on Ocean Encounters: Restless Seas
Join WHOI scientists for a discussion about how ocean currents shape weather, climate, and life. Airing Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET
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😱🍌🚢It’s #Fridaythe13th! Whether you participate or not, #superstitions abound at sea. What do you think– is it safe to bring #bananas on board, step on deck with your left foot, or talk to a red-haired lady in the galley? Would YOU want to be the first to experiment?
Share your experiences– from sea or dry land– in the comments!
📸: A large bunch of bananas hanging on @rv.atlantis during a Dive & Discover expedition to the East Pacific Rise in the early 2000s
Sep 13
#WHOI and @scripps_ocean are seeking partners for the 3rd annual #OceanPavilion at the UN’s biggest #climateconference, or Conference of Parties (COP). Come make waves with us at @cop29_azerbaijan!
Partnership benefits include guaranteed programming slots, meeting room access, and branding opportunities within the Pavilion.
📲 Apply today at the link in our profile!
#TeamOcean
Sep 12
🍽️ What’s for dinner, deep-sea #isopod?!
Four miles below the surface, scientists in #Alvin witnessed this rarely-seen invertebrate paddling along with oar-like legs, towing a large piece of #seaweed. In a recently-published study, #WHOI researchers share another surprise: that seaweed isn’t native to the seafloor!
📲 Find out what it is– and how this species has adapted over time– at the 🔗 in our profile!
Sep 12
🗓️ Save the date for our final Ocean + Climate Outreach Series event of the season, presented by @yawkeyfdns at @bostonchildrensmuseum!
This September 22, join us in exploring the #oceantwilightzone, a mysterious mid-ocean world teeming with bizarre creatures and magical wonders! From glowing jellyfish to elusive #deepsea fish, discover how life thrives in the darkness from a real-life #oceanographer while enjoying fun hands-on #activities!
🎟️ The best part? Admission is free with promo code TZONE92224. Details at the 🔗 in bio!
Sep 12
🌊 Change is the only constant in nature– that`s obvious when you look at the ocean!
So what drives those restless seas? And how does the changing ocean affect our lives, even if we don`t live on the coast?
Find out from #WHOI experts in our live virtual series, #OceanEncounters! 📲 Details and registration at the 🔗 in our profile!
Sep 11
Each night, billions of #zooplankton rise from the inky #oceantwilightzone to the surface, only to retreat as dawn breaks. This nightly journey, spanning hundreds to thousands of meters, is known as #dielverticalmigration —a rhythmic vertical conveyor belt transporting #carbon to the #deepsea.
Among these vertical migrants are gelatinous animals like #jellyfish (picture 1), small #crustaceans (picture 2), and #pelagicpredators like juvenile #fish (picture 3) and #squid (picture 4).
During their nightly ascent, many of these tiny creatures feast on phytoplankton, which have absorbed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during photosynthesis. As the zooplankton return to the safety of the twilight zone, they metabolize that carbon, which is released as fecal matter. That poop, along with other organic detritus, descends to the seafloor, where the carbon is locked away for centuries– or more.
In essence, diel vertical migration is a daily pulse of life that drives a fundamental planetary process: the #biologicalcarbonpump. The incredibly diverse and ethereal animals steer the flow of carbon through the oceans, influencing the very #climate that sustains us humans.
📲 Immerse yourself in this incredible migration at @artechouse Twilight Zone: Hidden Wonders of the Ocean, opening Sept. 14 #artechousedc #keepitweird
Sep 10
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