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Press Room

Volcanic Activity Discovered at Samoan “Hot Spot”

December 12, 2000

Scientists from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography have discovered “strong evidence” for current volcanic activity at the Vailulu’u summit east of Samoa.

WHOI Honored as a Massachusetts Employer of the Year

October 20, 2000

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution was honored today by Governor Paul Cellucci as one of 17 employers in the state cited for providing “a wide variety of employment opportunities for workers with disabilities.” The companies honored range from the nation’s largest…

U.S. Navy to Launch Ship Named for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Scientist

October 17, 2000

It wonA?t be just another ship launching when the USNS MARY SEARS rolls down the ways at the Halter Marine Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi, October 19. For the first time in its 225-year history, the Navy is naming one of…

Submersible ALVIN to Dive in Gulf of Mexico, Investigate Gas Hydrates and Unusual Marine Life

October 16, 2000

For the first time in eight years, the Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionA?s Research Vessel Atlantis and deep-diving submersible Alvin will spend the next two weeks investigating gas hydrates, a new potential energy resource, and unusual marine life in the Gulf…

Iron Fertilization in Southern Ocean Increased Growth of Algae that Absorb Greenhouse Gases, and Could Cool Climate

October 12, 2000

Scientists who fertilized a small patch of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica in 1999 to determine if the iron would stimulate growth of algae that consume carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas, say their results show that iron supply does…

U.S. Postal Service Issues Deep Sea Creatures Stamps

October 2, 2000

Alien life in the deep sea will soon be affixed to first class mail across the nation as the U.S. Postal Service issues five 33-cent commemorative stamps of deep-sea creatures this month. Three of the stamps are based on photographs…

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Director Applauds Clinton Signing of Oceans Act

August 7, 2000

President Clinton today signed bipartisan legislation establishing a high-level national advisory board to recommend policies to balance ocean ecology and economics by promoting the protection and sustainable use of America?s oceans and coastal resources. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Director Robert…

WHOI Presents Stommel Medal to California Oceanographer Russ Davis

July 9, 2000

Professor, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego Sponored by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution In recognition of “his pioneering development of autonomous floats and their use to determine the ocean circulation.”

WHOI to Hold Commencement Exercises June 3

June 2, 2000

For the fourth time in its history, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution will hold commencement ceremonies at the Institution. Thirty-three degrees will be awarded June 3, 2000 to students who completed their degree programs in September 1999 and February and June…

WHOI Director Receives Honorary Degree from Long Island University

June 1, 2000

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Director Robert B. Gagosian was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree May 21, 2000 in ceremonies at Southampton College of Long Island University in Southampton, NY. The honorary Doctor of Science degree is the…

Gas found off Mid-Atlantic Coast

May 30, 2000

Woods Hole, MA – A team of scientists investigating whether possible cracks along the outer continental shelf off the mid-Atlantic coast might lead to a tsunami-causing landslide has discovered that the entire area is charged with gas.

Scientists Find Active Underwater Volcano East of Samoa

May 16, 2000

Marine geologists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) have confirmed the existence of an active underwater volcano east of Samoa. The volcano, recently named VailuluA?u by local students, is located about 28…

Major Gift Moves New Regional Coastal Research Vessel Close to Reality

May 15, 2000

Woods Hole Oceanographic InstitutionA?s planned coastal research vessel is much closer to reality with the announcement of a $5 million gift from long-time friend, Trustee and supporter Gratia Rinehart A?TopsyA? Montgomery of South Dartmouth, MA. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)…

Undersea Cracks along Continental Shelf Could Trigger Tsunamis along U.S. East Coast

April 28, 2000

Potential landslides on the outer continental shelf and slope along the Mid-Atlantic coast could trigger tsunamis that might have devastating effects on populated coastal areas. In a paper published in the May 2000 issue of the journal Geology,Neal Driscoll of…

California Oceanographer to Receive WHOI’s Stommel Medal

March 21, 2000

Dr. Russ E. Davis of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego will receive the Henry Stommel Medal in Oceanography from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in recognition of his contributions to observing and…

High Levels of Platinum and Palladium Found in Boston Harbor Sediments

March 13, 2000

The first systematic study of the influence of human activity on platinum and palladium concentrations in an urban coastal system show high levels of these metals. Scientists at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and their colleagues found platinum and…

New Iron-Eating Microbe Major Component of Mining Pollution and Iron and Sulfur Cycling

March 10, 2000

A new microbe that eats iron and lives in some of the most acidic conditions found on earth has been identified as a major player in the environmental damage caused by metal ore mining. It also raises questions about the…

New Generation Deep Ocean Vehicle Funded by $1 Million Keck Foundation Grant

February 18, 2000

A new generation remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of routine operation to depths of 6,500 meters (21,320 feet) and communicating its data back to shore via the Internet is under development at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), funded by…

WHOI Scientists to Discuss Fisheries Science Issues

January 21, 2000

WHAT: Scientists will briefly outline the fisheries problem, and some of the outstanding scientific issues that need to be addressed to manage the recovery of stocks, and once recovered, to manage them in a sustainable way. Also discussed will be…

Oceanographer Takes Cable Industry on Journey into the World’s Oceans

November 18, 1999

(Washington, DC) Robert B. Gagosian, Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), told the Washington Metropolitan Cable Club today that new technologies are completely changing the way oceanographers do ocean science, and that many problems facing society today can…