WHOI’s Michael Spall awarded AGU Harald Sverdrup Lecture recognizing outstanding contributions to ocean science

Woods Hole, Mass. (Oct. 29, 2025) — The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is proud to announce that Michael Spall, a Senior Scientist in Physical Oceanography, has been selected to deliver the Harald Sverdrup Lecture, presented by the American Geophysical Union (AGU).

The Harald Sverdrup Lecture honors individuals who have made exceptional contributions to, and promoted collaboration within, atmospheric and oceanographic research. Named for pioneering geophysicist Harald Sverdrup, the lecture is part of AGU’s prestigious Bowie Lecture Series, which was established to commemorate the 50th presentation of the William Bowie Medal—AGU’s highest honor. Sverdrup himself was a Bowie Medal recipient. Spall’s lecture will be presented at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in February 2026.

Throughout his distinguished career, Spall has made profound advances in understanding ocean circulation on scales from 10’s to 1000’s of kilometers. His research has provided essential insights into the physical dynamics that govern the ocean, including the mechanisms driving the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), a critical component of Earth’s climate system.

“It is an honor to receive this recognition from the AGU,” said Spall.  “My research has been guided largely by curiosity, so it is nice to see that others value the questions that have driven my work. I feel fortunate to have been able to spend my career at WHOI, where collaboration and the sharing of ideas have provided a rich environment for exploring how the ocean works.”

Spall’s body of work includes studies demonstrating that high-latitude sinking of dense water must occur along the boundaries of ocean basins, rather than in their interior, an insight that continues to shape modern oceanographic theory and climate modeling. Over the course of his career, Spall has published over 130 papers in more than twenty scientific journals, and many of his papers are regarded as foundational to the field.

###

About Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is a private, non-profit organization on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, dedicated to marine research, engineering, and higher education. Founded in 1930, its mission is to understand the ocean, its interactions with the Earth, and its role in a changing global environment. WHOI’s pioneering discoveries arise from a unique blend of science and engineering that has made it one of the world’s most trusted leaders in ocean research and exploration. Known for its multidisciplinary approach, advanced ship operations, and unmatched deep-sea robotics, WHOI also operates the most extensive suite of ocean data-gathering platforms worldwide. More than 800 concurrent projects—driven by top scientists, engineers, and students—push the boundaries of knowledge to inform people and policy for a healthier planet. Behind the scenes, ship captains, mates, craftsmen, marine operations, and other skilled professionals provide essential support that makes this work possible. Learn more at whoi.edu.