Oceanography

These massive holes in the ice, known as polynyas, may appear more often as climate change advances.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
New research shows how decommissioned oil rigs can become home to an abundance of fish and invertebrates.
Katharine Gammon, Contributor
The Ross Ice Shelf appears to be melting in previously unknown ways. The same mechanisms could be melting other giant ice shelves, too.
Nala Rogers, Staff Writer
Record low levels of winter sea ice devastate seabirds already struggling with climate change.
Nala Rogers, Staff Writer
Algae and seaweed blooms in Greenland’s vast network of Arctic tidal pools offer shelter for some animals from an acidifying ocean.
Jennifer Leman, Contributor
Massive geoengineering projects to hold back glaciers in Greenland and Antarctica could slow sea level rise.
Brian Owens, Contributor
By hunting in the deep and dumping in the shallows, sharks deliver rich nutrients to coral reefs, helping them grow.
James Gaines, Contributor
Tethered balloons equipped with sophisticated cameras can survey threats and damage from an elevated perspective.
Peter Gwynne, Contributor
Citizen scientists confirm that plastic pollution is blemishing previously pristine beaches in the Arctic Ocean.
Kimberly Hickok, Contributor
New programs highlight coral bleaching, a process driven by climate change, which could destroy most coral ecosystems by 2050.
Ramin Skibba, Contributor
Slow digestion and a diverse diet makes the lancetfish perfect for sampling deep sea life.
Teresa L. Carey, Contributor
Scientists use oceanography technology to find the wrecks of World War II aircraft.
Joel Shurkin, Contributor