Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.
RECENT NEWS
The 10,000-foot view
WHOI’s Tom Bell tracks changes to vulnerable coastal ecosystems with aerial imagery
Happy 4th of July from all of us at Woods Hole Oceanographic!
The Stars & Stripes wave from WHOI`s first research vessel Atlantis, the country`s first dedicated open-ocean oceanographic ship, in service from 1930-1964.
Jul 4
🎶🇺🇲🪼Oh say can you see
By the dawn`s early light
What so valiantly surfaced
At the twilight`s last gleaming?
Did you know that billions of animals take part in the world`s biggest migration... every single night?
Like this #ctenophore or #combjelly, many of them use light-producing cells on their bodies to communicate, deter predators, and attract mates.
After indulging in a midnight snack at the ocean surface, those who haven`t been eaten return to the safety of the #midocean depths as soon as the sun comes up.
📲 Learn more about the #OceanTwilightZone at the 🔗 in bio!
#Bioluminescence #Happy4thOfJuly
Jul 4
More than a year after #Titan, #WHOI experts look back on international search and rescue efforts with @vanityfair
📲 Get a detailed account of the critical 87 hours after the submersible was reported missing (link in bio)
Jul 3
🌀⛈️🌀With #HurricaneBeryl carving a path of destruction through the Caribbean, the 2024 #hurricane season is off to a record-breaking start. The earliest #Category5 storm on record in the Atlantic region is fueled–in part–by higher-than-ever #ocean temperatures.
⁉️So where do hurricanes come from, and how do they get so intense? Check out the full explainer at the link in bio!
Animation by @n.renier © WHOI
Jul 3
Gliding through the ocean on wings spanning up to 25 feet, giant #manta rays can weigh over 5,000 pounds! It would be easy not to notice the three-foot #remoras swimming below them– but the ray sure would miss them!
These little fish use their suction cup-like dorsal fins to attach themselves to the bigger fish`s underside, clearing off bacteria and parasites without damaging the ray’s skin. In return, these hitchhikers gain protection– and free lunch! Manta rays are sloppy eaters, giving the remoras ample opportunity to scavenge the scraps.
📲 Discover more surprising examples of ocean symbiosis (and perhaps an analogy to your own friendships) at the link in bio!
📸 by Renata Romeo/Ocean Image Bank @theoceanagency
Jul 2
The deep sea is dark and cold. So when when you`re preparing to visit it in #Alvin, what do you pack?!
📲 Swipe to find out the average temperature in ALVIN and get more fun facts at the sub`s 60th anniversary website (link in bio)!
Jul 2
OUR WORK
WHOI is at the forefront of groundbreaking science and technology development, unlocking the mysteries of our ocean, its connections to life on Earth, and solutions it may hold to some of our most pressing environmental challenges.
Our scientists and engineers lead more than 800 concurrent projects, tackling some of the most challenging and important problems of our time, from climate change and ocean pollution to sustainable food and energy production.
We operate a fleet of research vessels and vehicles, including two large ships (R/V Neil Armstrong and R/V Atlantis), a smaller coastal research vessel, the iconic human-occupied submersible Alvin, and dozens of other underwater robots.
Through our higher education programs, including the prestigious MIT-WHOI Joint Program, we train new generations of ocean scientists, engineers, and leaders-providing access to cutting edge facilities and unparalleled access to the sea.
WHOI plays a leading role in ocean communications, sharing our insights and knowledge about the ocean to the general public, policymakers, educators, and more, so we can make wise decisions about our ocean, our planet, and our future.
FEATURED PROJECTS
We have over 1,000 scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff working around the globe and cutting edge laboratories to push the boundaries of knowledge about the ocean.
Ocean and Climate Innovation Accelerator
Bringing together industry, academia, and philanthropy to develop and accelerate new climate change solutions.
Ocean Twilight Zone
Exploring the globe-spanning region beneath the sunlit upper ocean where life thrives
Ocean Worlds
Discovering the links between life in our ocean and the search for life beyond Earth
Marine Microplastics Initiative
Investigating the fate of microplastics and their impacts on marine life and human health
Super Reefs
Searching for corals around the world to help ensure a future for reefs in a warming ocean
Ocean Observatories Initiative
The NSF-funded program measures physical, chemical, geological and biological properties from the seafloor to the air-sea interface.
HADEX
Research and exploration of the deepest parts of the ocean, Earth’s final frontier
Reef Solutions
Working to protect corals and reverse the global decline of reef ecosystems