Oceans

Oceans

‘The Deepest Map’ explores the thrills — and dangers — of charting the ocean

A new book follows the race to map the seafloor, documenting how it’s done, why and what a clear view of the deep sea could mean for Earth’s future.

Climate

Extreme ocean heat off Florida has ebbed. But for marine life, the danger remains

After the recent heat wave, corals have received too much heat too early in the summer, and other sea life could see lingering effects too.

Climate

Antarctic sea ice has been hitting record lows for most of this year

Since hitting a record low minimum back in February, the amount of Antarctic sea ice has stayed well below normal all year.

Earth

Irrigation may be shifting Earth’s rotational axis

Computer simulations suggest that from 1993 to 2010 irrigation alone could have nudged the North Pole by about 78 centimeters.

Life

5,000 deep-sea animals new to science turned up in ocean records

Scientists compiled a list of animals unknown to science that live in a deep-sea Pacific Ocean ecosystem targeted for mining exploration.

Life

In one lake deep under Antarctica’s ice, microbes feast on ancient carbon

Microorganisms living in a lake beneath the ice sheet in West Antarctica feed on ocean carbon that was deposited 6,000 years ago.

Oceans

Satellite data reveal nearly 20,000 previously unknown deep-sea mountains

By looking for tiny bumps in sea level caused by the gravity of subsurface mountains, researchers have roughly doubled the number of known seamounts.

Earth

A massive cavern beneath a West Antarctic glacier is teeming with life

A subglacial river has carved out the cavern beneath the Kamb Ice Stream, a West Antarctic glacier, and may be supplying nutrients necessary for life.

Oceans

‘Jet packs’ and ultrasounds could reveal secrets of pregnant whale sharks

Only one pregnant whale shark has ever been studied. New underwater techniques using ultrasound and blood tests could change that.

Oceans

50 years ago, researchers discovered a leak in Earth’s oceans

An analysis of oceanic rocks hinted that ocean water drains into Earth’s mantle. How much makes it back into the ocean remains unclear.

Climate

Many Antarctic glaciers are hemorrhaging ice. This one is healing its cracks

Scientists have explored the recesses of an Antarctic glacier that is currently stable, helping improve predictions of the continent’s fate.

Oceans

50 years ago, scientists discovered the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

In 1973, plastic bottles adrift in the North Pacific alarmed scientists. Fifty years later, more than 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic litter the area.