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Research Highlights

Oceanus Magazine

New Hybrid Deep-sea Vehicle Is Christened Nereus

New Hybrid Deep-sea Vehicle Is Christened Nereus

June 26, 2006

Nereus—a mythical god with a fish tail and a man’s torso—was chosen Sunday (June 25) in a nationwide contest as the name of a first-of-its-kind, deep-sea vehicle under construction at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The vehicle, known until now…

A Laser Light in the Ocean Depths

A Laser Light in the Ocean Depths

June 19, 2006

Graduate student Anna Michel is adapting laser technology to the murky fluid environment and crushing pressures at depths of 11,000 feet. The goal is to develop an instrument that can directly measure the many elements spewing from hydrothermal vents just as they emerge from Earth?s crust.

Building a Computer Model to Forecast Red Tides

May 31, 2006

The algae Alexandrium fundyense are notorious for producing a toxin that accumulates in shellfish such as clams, mussels, and oysters, leading to paralytic shellfish poisoning in humans. The microscopic plants are naturally distributed in New England waters, but in some…

ABE—The Autonomous Benthic Explorer

ABE—The Autonomous Benthic Explorer

April 19, 2006

The pioneering deep-submergence vehicle, now 10 years old, continues to demonstrate its versatility on each new cruise.

New Sonar Method Offers Window into Squid Nurseries

New Sonar Method Offers Window into Squid Nurseries

March 15, 2006

Squid fishing has increased substantially in the past decade, with no way to assess the continuing viability of the stock?until now.

News Releases

New global efforts to map and monitor kelp forests extend to South Africa and Namibia

April 30, 2025

A new expansion of kelpwatch.org, brings over 40 years of satellite-derived kelp canopy data to South Africa and Namibia, offering new insights into these vital underwater forest ecosystems.

‘Fishial’ Recognition: Neural Network Identifies Coral Reef Sounds

March 11, 2025

Faster identification of fish sounds from acoustic recordings can improve research, conservation efforts

Scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution identify heat-resistant kelp strain

February 10, 2025

A new strain of kelp can help support sustainable farming

Nereid Under Ice

WHOI vehicles go to extreme sides of the globe

December 10, 2024

Simultaneous missions near Greenland and American Samoa support critical research about ocean life and sea level rise

Multi-disciplinary teams respond to recent hurricanes to measure real time impacts of storm surge, waves

November 15, 2024

A joint team, including WHOI researchers, recently mobilized to investigate the real-time impacts of storm surge and waves from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

News & Insights

WHOI builds bridges with Arctic Indigenous communities

February 10, 2021

NSF program fosters collaboration between indigenous communities and traditional scientists, allowing WHOI’s autonomous vehicles to shed light on a changing Arctic

WHOI-assisted study finds ocean dumping of DDT waste was “sloppy”

October 29, 2020

An investigative report this week in the LA Times features the work of WHOI’s marine geochemistry lab in identifying the discarded barrels and analyzing samples from the discovery.