Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

A Drop in the Ocean

Viewed from outer space, Earth has been called the Blue Planet. But if you could pull all the water in the ocean, the atmosphere, groundwater and surface water into a ball, it would measure only about 950 miles (1,500 kilometers) in diameter (the large sphere). Only about 3 percent of the world's water is fresh (the mid-sized sphere); and of that, only one-third is easily accessible to humans (the small sphere). Watch a video illustrating this surprising scarcity, explore the water cycle, and read more here. (Illustration by Jack Cook, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

Why Haven't Cod Returned?

Scientists are tapping into an archive of fish scales to look for changes in the ecosystem that may be compromising one of the world’s most productive fishing grounds, Georges Bank.

Coral Reef Observatory Installed off Okinawa, Japan

The system enables real-time monitoring of temperature, salinity and other data critical to understanding the health of this biodiversity hotspot.

Harshest Habitats on Earth

Utterly dark. Under pressure up to 350 times higher than on land. No oxygen. Ten times saltier than normal seawater. And teeming with life.

As Arctic Melts, a Race to Test Oil Spill Cleanup Technology

National Geographic

Underwater Robot Gliders Are the Eyes of the Storm
New Scientist

Humans to Blame for Climate Change
NPR's "The Takeaway"

Study Explores Complex Physical Oceanography in East China Sea
Environmental Research Web

The Ocean's Hidden Predators

Marine biologist Greg Skomal and engineer Amy Kukulya discuss the importance of sharks in the ecosystem, the threats they are under, and how new technology helps researchers learn more about these top predators.