Oceans

Oceans

How tiny phytoplankton trek long distances upward in the ocean

Taking in seawater while filtering out dense salts lets unicellular phytoplankton migrate tens of meters vertically toward sunnier seas.

Oceans

A transatlantic flight may turn Saharan dust into a key ocean nutrient

Over time, atmospheric chemical reactions can make iron in dust from the Sahara easier for organisms to take in, helping to create biodiversity hot spots.

Climate

How rapid intensification spawned two monster hurricanes in one week

New maps of wind impacts beyond Helene’s ‘cone of uncertainty’ track highlight how a hurricane’s power extends far inland.

Oceans

A vital ocean current is stable, for now

The Florida Current, a major contributor to a system of ocean currents that regulate Earth’s climate, has not weakened as much as previously reported.

Oceans

National Geographic’s ‘OceanXplorers’ dives into the ocean’s mysteries

National Geographic’s documentary series ‘OceanXplorers,’ produced by James Cameron, invites you aboard one of the most advanced research vessels in the world.

Climate

Record-breaking Coral Sea temperatures threaten the Great Barrier Reef

Near-annual extreme heat in the Coral Sea, including in 2024, is causing back-to-back mass bleaching events in the iconic Great Barrier Reef.

Oceans

In a seafloor surprise, metal-rich chunks may generate deep-sea oxygen

Instead of sinking from the surface, some deep-sea oxygen may be created by battery-like nodules that split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

Oceans

Can bioluminescent ‘milky seas’ be predicted?

For the first time, a scientist has used ocean and atmospheric data to find a milky sea, a huge expanse of luminous water, in past satellite images.

Oceans

This AI can predict ship-sinking ‘freak’ waves minutes in advance

The model, which was trained on data from ocean buoys to identify potential rogue waves, could help save lives.

Climate

Why this year’s climate conditions helped Hurricane Beryl smash records

Scientists predicted an active hurricane season, but a July Category 5 storm is still stunning.

Climate

Warm water is sneaking underneath the Thwaites Glacier — and rapidly melting it

The salty water, just 3.6 degrees Celsius above the ice’s melting point, is undermining the foundation of the Antarctic glacier.

Climate

Will stashing more CO₂ in the ocean help slow climate change?

Research is needed on how ocean carbon removal methods — such as iron fertilization and direct capture — could impact the environment.