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Oceanus Magazine

Earthshaking Events

Earthshaking Events

June 30, 2004

When I was still a schoolboy in China, two major earthquakes occurred, about a year apart. They had a profound impact on my life and on the Chinese people. The first was a quake with a magnitude of 7.3, which…

Peering into the Crystal Fabric of Rocks

Peering into the Crystal Fabric of Rocks

June 22, 2004

“Rock solid” is an oxymoron, to my way of thinking. Oh, the expression does have some truth in that minuscule, superficial portion of our planet where humans dwell. But the majority of rocks nearly everywhere else in the earth are continually changing their physical characteristics.

Earth's Complex Complexion

Earth’s Complex Complexion

May 13, 2004

Even as you read this, Earth’s crust is continually being reborn and recycled in a dynamic process that fundamentally shapes our planet. We’re not generally aware of all this action because most of it occurs at the seafloor, under a formidable watery shroud, and often in remote regions of the oceans.

Unraveling the Tapestry of Ocean Crust

Unraveling the Tapestry of Ocean Crust

April 5, 2004

Most people know that oceans cover about 70 percent of Earth’s surface. Fewer people realize that the crust beneath oceans and continents is fundamentally different. Why this is so remains a mystery that scientists are still trying to solve.

How the Isthmus of Panama Put Ice in the Arctic

How the Isthmus of Panama Put Ice in the Arctic

March 22, 2004

The long lag time has always puzzled scientists: Why did Antarctica become covered by massive ice sheets 34 million years ago, while the Arctic Ocean acquired its ice cap only about 3 million year ago?

News Releases

Urban civilization rose in Southern Mesopotamia on the back of tides

August 20, 2025

A newly published study challenges long-held assumptions about the origins of urban civilization in ancient Mesopotamia

Tica hydrothermal vent

Scientists in Alvin witness seafloor eruption on the East Pacific Rise

May 2, 2025

Long-awaited event sets the stage for scientists to learn more about physical, chemical and biological processes in the deep ocean East Pacific Rise, Pacific Ocean (May 2, 2025)  – Scientists diving in the human-occupied vehicle Alvin recently witnessed a rare…

New study provides insight into how some species thrive in dark, oxygen-free environments

January 16, 2025

New research on single-celled organisms sheds light on deep-sea energy sources

NUI Robot Arm

Newly published study reveals diversity of novel hydrothermal vent styles on the Arctic Ocean floor

December 19, 2024

Research offers potential understanding of habitability on ocean worlds in the outer solar system

Drilling vessel JOIDES Resolution

Mantle rock recovery may reveal secrets of Earth’s history

August 8, 2024

Scientists unravel the role of our planet’s mantle in volcanism and global cycles

News & Insights

Scientists tap ‘secret’ fresh water under the ocean

September 12, 2025

First-of-its-kind research expedition studies massive freshwater aquifer under the ocean floor off Cape Cod

The Search for Life

February 17, 2021

This week, NASA’s Perseverance Rover lands on Mars to continue the search for life on the Red Planet. At the same time, WHOI scientists and engineers are applying their experience exploring the deepest parts of planet Earth to the quest…

greenland ice

Will melting glaciers cool the climate?

July 29, 2020

As glaciers melt at unprecedented rates, WHOI’s Simon Pendleton is looking back to historical records to predict whether this new cool runoff will slow ocean circulation and cool the northern hemisphere––findings which could mean adjustments to some climate predictions.

Art Maxwell

Celebrating an oceanographic life

July 1, 2020

WHOI looks back at the legacy of co-founder of MIT-WHOI Joint Program, former Director of Research and Provost at WHOI, Art Maxwell

Working from home: Chris German

April 30, 2020

As I reached the end of April, I realized that too much of my time was getting consumed by zoom calls and email in a bid to over-compensate for not being able to interact with people on-site at WHOI. So…

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