Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
@whoi.edu
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Does freezing water always turn to ice? 🧊
A recent study showed that 717 million years ago, the ocean's extreme saltiness helped it maintain a liquid state at 5℉ (-15C). That's the coldest measured sea temperature in Earth’s history!
👉 More from the @agu.org go.whoi.edu/eos-snowball
A recent study showed that 717 million years ago, the ocean's extreme saltiness helped it maintain a liquid state at 5℉ (-15C). That's the coldest measured sea temperature in Earth’s history!
👉 More from the @agu.org go.whoi.edu/eos-snowball
February 9, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Does freezing water always turn to ice? 🧊
A recent study showed that 717 million years ago, the ocean's extreme saltiness helped it maintain a liquid state at 5℉ (-15C). That's the coldest measured sea temperature in Earth’s history!
👉 More from the @agu.org go.whoi.edu/eos-snowball
A recent study showed that 717 million years ago, the ocean's extreme saltiness helped it maintain a liquid state at 5℉ (-15C). That's the coldest measured sea temperature in Earth’s history!
👉 More from the @agu.org go.whoi.edu/eos-snowball
🤔 What if we’ve been looking at our world the wrong way?
Instead of continents separated by cold, wet emptiness, what if we saw that land as merely floating on a life-giving expanse of opportunity?
🌊Trade your land-based perspective for new possibilities beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/reimagine
Instead of continents separated by cold, wet emptiness, what if we saw that land as merely floating on a life-giving expanse of opportunity?
🌊Trade your land-based perspective for new possibilities beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/reimagine
February 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM
🤔 What if we’ve been looking at our world the wrong way?
Instead of continents separated by cold, wet emptiness, what if we saw that land as merely floating on a life-giving expanse of opportunity?
🌊Trade your land-based perspective for new possibilities beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/reimagine
Instead of continents separated by cold, wet emptiness, what if we saw that land as merely floating on a life-giving expanse of opportunity?
🌊Trade your land-based perspective for new possibilities beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/reimagine
And the winner is...📨
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
February 6, 2026 at 5:34 PM
And the winner is...📨
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer
Ping! 🔔 At the end of January, a WHOI-operated acoustic buoy near Savannah picked up the sound of a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. This data, publicly accessible via robots4whales.whoi.edu, is used by NOAA to implement “slow zones” for mariners.
📲More: go.whoi.edu/smn-buoys
📲More: go.whoi.edu/smn-buoys
February 5, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Ping! 🔔 At the end of January, a WHOI-operated acoustic buoy near Savannah picked up the sound of a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. This data, publicly accessible via robots4whales.whoi.edu, is used by NOAA to implement “slow zones” for mariners.
📲More: go.whoi.edu/smn-buoys
📲More: go.whoi.edu/smn-buoys
Meet the “blue button jelly,” a stinging cnidarian that’s more like a tiny team than a single animal. WHOI’s jellyfish expert Larry Madin tells @popsci.com what he knows about this "quasi-colonial organism: go.whoi.edu/popsci-jelly
February 5, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Meet the “blue button jelly,” a stinging cnidarian that’s more like a tiny team than a single animal. WHOI’s jellyfish expert Larry Madin tells @popsci.com what he knows about this "quasi-colonial organism: go.whoi.edu/popsci-jelly
Our work is grounded in marine science and exploration, but we're making waves far beyond the ocean surface. 🌊
👉🏽Find out how #WHOI research drives breakthroughs, from human health and infrastructure design to emergency response and national security: go.whoi.edu/breakthroughs-below-the-surface
👉🏽Find out how #WHOI research drives breakthroughs, from human health and infrastructure design to emergency response and national security: go.whoi.edu/breakthroughs-below-the-surface
February 3, 2026 at 10:59 PM
Our work is grounded in marine science and exploration, but we're making waves far beyond the ocean surface. 🌊
👉🏽Find out how #WHOI research drives breakthroughs, from human health and infrastructure design to emergency response and national security: go.whoi.edu/breakthroughs-below-the-surface
👉🏽Find out how #WHOI research drives breakthroughs, from human health and infrastructure design to emergency response and national security: go.whoi.edu/breakthroughs-below-the-surface
Sea cucumbers spend their lives burrowing into and eating mud + sand. But this beautiful species—Enypniastes—is also capable of swimming by slowly undulating the cape-like structure around its top. And it's not a trick of the light: its organs actually glow in the dark, which may deter predators.
February 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Sea cucumbers spend their lives burrowing into and eating mud + sand. But this beautiful species—Enypniastes—is also capable of swimming by slowly undulating the cape-like structure around its top. And it's not a trick of the light: its organs actually glow in the dark, which may deter predators.
A recent study found that Jupiter's moon, Europa, may not host hydrothermal vents in its icy ocean (like the Earthly vents in this video) but it could still have a lower-temperature, geothermally-driven food chain.
📲Learn more about the sea to space connection: go.whoi.edu/ont-europa
📲Learn more about the sea to space connection: go.whoi.edu/ont-europa
February 2, 2026 at 11:00 PM
A recent study found that Jupiter's moon, Europa, may not host hydrothermal vents in its icy ocean (like the Earthly vents in this video) but it could still have a lower-temperature, geothermally-driven food chain.
📲Learn more about the sea to space connection: go.whoi.edu/ont-europa
📲Learn more about the sea to space connection: go.whoi.edu/ont-europa
📣 Adélie Penguin Phil has seen his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of summer in Antarctica!
That also means 6 more weeks of winter in the northern hemisphere...🥶
But it's good news for polar researchers, who take advantage of the relatively pleasant austral summer to study the Southern Ocean.
That also means 6 more weeks of winter in the northern hemisphere...🥶
But it's good news for polar researchers, who take advantage of the relatively pleasant austral summer to study the Southern Ocean.
February 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM
📣 Adélie Penguin Phil has seen his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of summer in Antarctica!
That also means 6 more weeks of winter in the northern hemisphere...🥶
But it's good news for polar researchers, who take advantage of the relatively pleasant austral summer to study the Southern Ocean.
That also means 6 more weeks of winter in the northern hemisphere...🥶
But it's good news for polar researchers, who take advantage of the relatively pleasant austral summer to study the Southern Ocean.
What's YOUR ocean story? 🌊
Whether you live near or far from the shore, the ocean shapes your world—sustaining life, regulating the climate, and inspiring wonder.
Take the plunge! Discover your connection to the vast, incredible world beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/ocean-world
Whether you live near or far from the shore, the ocean shapes your world—sustaining life, regulating the climate, and inspiring wonder.
Take the plunge! Discover your connection to the vast, incredible world beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/ocean-world
February 2, 2026 at 12:00 AM
What's YOUR ocean story? 🌊
Whether you live near or far from the shore, the ocean shapes your world—sustaining life, regulating the climate, and inspiring wonder.
Take the plunge! Discover your connection to the vast, incredible world beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/ocean-world
Whether you live near or far from the shore, the ocean shapes your world—sustaining life, regulating the climate, and inspiring wonder.
Take the plunge! Discover your connection to the vast, incredible world beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/ocean-world
The ocean is forever 💙
Keep it close to your heart—and support marine science with your purchase. Find a gift that’s as unique as they are: go.whoi.edu/ocean-love
Keep it close to your heart—and support marine science with your purchase. Find a gift that’s as unique as they are: go.whoi.edu/ocean-love
February 1, 2026 at 7:59 PM
The ocean is forever 💙
Keep it close to your heart—and support marine science with your purchase. Find a gift that’s as unique as they are: go.whoi.edu/ocean-love
Keep it close to your heart—and support marine science with your purchase. Find a gift that’s as unique as they are: go.whoi.edu/ocean-love
Take a deep dive into the secret lives of big fish! 🦈
If you missed our live virtual event on ocean predators this week, don't fret! Watch #OceanEncounters at your convenience on YouTube: go.whoi.edu/oe-predators
And stay tuned for our next event on March 4, starring coastal ecosystems!
If you missed our live virtual event on ocean predators this week, don't fret! Watch #OceanEncounters at your convenience on YouTube: go.whoi.edu/oe-predators
And stay tuned for our next event on March 4, starring coastal ecosystems!
January 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Take a deep dive into the secret lives of big fish! 🦈
If you missed our live virtual event on ocean predators this week, don't fret! Watch #OceanEncounters at your convenience on YouTube: go.whoi.edu/oe-predators
And stay tuned for our next event on March 4, starring coastal ecosystems!
If you missed our live virtual event on ocean predators this week, don't fret! Watch #OceanEncounters at your convenience on YouTube: go.whoi.edu/oe-predators
And stay tuned for our next event on March 4, starring coastal ecosystems!
🤔What does it take to develop safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal strategies? Find out from @nytimes.com, whose reporters joined our EPA-approved ocean alkalinity enhancement test in the Gulf of Maine last summer.
📲Read the gift article: go.whoi.edu/oae-nyt
📸 by Sebastian Zeck
📲Read the gift article: go.whoi.edu/oae-nyt
📸 by Sebastian Zeck
January 31, 2026 at 5:00 PM
🤔What does it take to develop safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal strategies? Find out from @nytimes.com, whose reporters joined our EPA-approved ocean alkalinity enhancement test in the Gulf of Maine last summer.
📲Read the gift article: go.whoi.edu/oae-nyt
📸 by Sebastian Zeck
📲Read the gift article: go.whoi.edu/oae-nyt
📸 by Sebastian Zeck
Sliding into the weekend… like George Russell?
Oh sorry, not Formula 1 driver! We're talking about the Siberian cat and beloved pet of our Deputy Director (and F1 fan), Ben Van Mooy. Next stop: the Milan Olympics!
No cats (or F1 drivers) were harmed in the making of this video.
#CatsofWHOI
Oh sorry, not Formula 1 driver! We're talking about the Siberian cat and beloved pet of our Deputy Director (and F1 fan), Ben Van Mooy. Next stop: the Milan Olympics!
No cats (or F1 drivers) were harmed in the making of this video.
#CatsofWHOI
January 31, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Sliding into the weekend… like George Russell?
Oh sorry, not Formula 1 driver! We're talking about the Siberian cat and beloved pet of our Deputy Director (and F1 fan), Ben Van Mooy. Next stop: the Milan Olympics!
No cats (or F1 drivers) were harmed in the making of this video.
#CatsofWHOI
Oh sorry, not Formula 1 driver! We're talking about the Siberian cat and beloved pet of our Deputy Director (and F1 fan), Ben Van Mooy. Next stop: the Milan Olympics!
No cats (or F1 drivers) were harmed in the making of this video.
#CatsofWHOI
Sargassum can be annoying and noxious when huge amounts wash up on the beach. But the economic impact is what really hurts. 💸
A new WHOI-led study found the nuisance seaweed could cost Florida billions in lost business revenue.
📲Find out how much from : go.whoi.edu/fltoday-sargassum
A new WHOI-led study found the nuisance seaweed could cost Florida billions in lost business revenue.
📲Find out how much from : go.whoi.edu/fltoday-sargassum
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Sargassum can be annoying and noxious when huge amounts wash up on the beach. But the economic impact is what really hurts. 💸
A new WHOI-led study found the nuisance seaweed could cost Florida billions in lost business revenue.
📲Find out how much from : go.whoi.edu/fltoday-sargassum
A new WHOI-led study found the nuisance seaweed could cost Florida billions in lost business revenue.
📲Find out how much from : go.whoi.edu/fltoday-sargassum
📣 Calling science & engineering undergrads (+ friends & family)! Looking to get paid, hands-on experience in Woods Hole this summer? Apply to the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship! Don't delay—applications are due on February 1! ⏰
📲Get the deets: whoi.edu/summerfellow
📲Get the deets: whoi.edu/summerfellow
January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM
📣 Calling science & engineering undergrads (+ friends & family)! Looking to get paid, hands-on experience in Woods Hole this summer? Apply to the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship! Don't delay—applications are due on February 1! ⏰
📲Get the deets: whoi.edu/summerfellow
📲Get the deets: whoi.edu/summerfellow
In 1979, 2 years after their discovery of hydrothermal vents, WHOI's Robert Ballard + team returned to the Galápagos to investigate the biology. These giant tube worms are an example of the incredible biodiversity thriving in the deep sea—an area previously considered too dark + hostile for life!
January 29, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In 1979, 2 years after their discovery of hydrothermal vents, WHOI's Robert Ballard + team returned to the Galápagos to investigate the biology. These giant tube worms are an example of the incredible biodiversity thriving in the deep sea—an area previously considered too dark + hostile for life!
Join us for Ocean Encounters TONIGHT at 7:30pm (ET) to learn more about the biggest fish in the ocean—and what they can teach us about ocean health.
👉 Register for this live virtual event: go.whoi.edu/predators
#OceanEncounters is an official event of the @unoceandecade.bsky.social
👉 Register for this live virtual event: go.whoi.edu/predators
#OceanEncounters is an official event of the @unoceandecade.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Join us for Ocean Encounters TONIGHT at 7:30pm (ET) to learn more about the biggest fish in the ocean—and what they can teach us about ocean health.
👉 Register for this live virtual event: go.whoi.edu/predators
#OceanEncounters is an official event of the @unoceandecade.bsky.social
👉 Register for this live virtual event: go.whoi.edu/predators
#OceanEncounters is an official event of the @unoceandecade.bsky.social
This summer, MIT-WHOI grad student Jaida Elcock played tag with a whale shark! 🤙🏽🦈✨
After the tag popped off, Elcock played "hide and seek" with it to retrieve the biologger data!
🦈 Watch the full video: go.whoi.edu/whale-shark-tag
After the tag popped off, Elcock played "hide and seek" with it to retrieve the biologger data!
🦈 Watch the full video: go.whoi.edu/whale-shark-tag
January 27, 2026 at 10:59 PM
This summer, MIT-WHOI grad student Jaida Elcock played tag with a whale shark! 🤙🏽🦈✨
After the tag popped off, Elcock played "hide and seek" with it to retrieve the biologger data!
🦈 Watch the full video: go.whoi.edu/whale-shark-tag
After the tag popped off, Elcock played "hide and seek" with it to retrieve the biologger data!
🦈 Watch the full video: go.whoi.edu/whale-shark-tag
Even in the frigid seas of Antarctica, life blooms 🪸
In just 24 hours of brooding in the lab, these Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae began to sprout their very first tentacles, giving WHOI biologist Rhian Waller a glimpse into the earliest stages of life far below the surface.
In just 24 hours of brooding in the lab, these Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae began to sprout their very first tentacles, giving WHOI biologist Rhian Waller a glimpse into the earliest stages of life far below the surface.
January 27, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Even in the frigid seas of Antarctica, life blooms 🪸
In just 24 hours of brooding in the lab, these Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae began to sprout their very first tentacles, giving WHOI biologist Rhian Waller a glimpse into the earliest stages of life far below the surface.
In just 24 hours of brooding in the lab, these Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae began to sprout their very first tentacles, giving WHOI biologist Rhian Waller a glimpse into the earliest stages of life far below the surface.
When the #HighSeasTreaty came into effect on Jan. 17, it set in motion a legal framework + process for establishing marine protected areas outside of national boundaries—with a goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. 🗺️
So… what are MPAs? Find out: go.whoi.edu/mpas
So… what are MPAs? Find out: go.whoi.edu/mpas
January 27, 2026 at 12:59 AM
When the #HighSeasTreaty came into effect on Jan. 17, it set in motion a legal framework + process for establishing marine protected areas outside of national boundaries—with a goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. 🗺️
So… what are MPAs? Find out: go.whoi.edu/mpas
So… what are MPAs? Find out: go.whoi.edu/mpas
Wasn't that a mighty storm? 🥶
No matter where you live, your weather is influenced by the ocean. Find out what it takes to study the complex interplay between air and sea—and create forecasts that help us stay ahead of the storms: go.whoi.edu/oceanweather
No matter where you live, your weather is influenced by the ocean. Find out what it takes to study the complex interplay between air and sea—and create forecasts that help us stay ahead of the storms: go.whoi.edu/oceanweather
January 26, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Wasn't that a mighty storm? 🥶
No matter where you live, your weather is influenced by the ocean. Find out what it takes to study the complex interplay between air and sea—and create forecasts that help us stay ahead of the storms: go.whoi.edu/oceanweather
No matter where you live, your weather is influenced by the ocean. Find out what it takes to study the complex interplay between air and sea—and create forecasts that help us stay ahead of the storms: go.whoi.edu/oceanweather
At WHOI, we understand the importance of maritime heritage. That’s why our engineers developed a turtle-shaped robot that can scan and remove derelict fishing gear from New England's storied shipwrecks.
🤖 Meet the ocean's new “quicker-picker-upper,” Res-Q ROV: go.whoi.edu/ResQ
🤖 Meet the ocean's new “quicker-picker-upper,” Res-Q ROV: go.whoi.edu/ResQ
January 25, 2026 at 8:59 PM
At WHOI, we understand the importance of maritime heritage. That’s why our engineers developed a turtle-shaped robot that can scan and remove derelict fishing gear from New England's storied shipwrecks.
🤖 Meet the ocean's new “quicker-picker-upper,” Res-Q ROV: go.whoi.edu/ResQ
🤖 Meet the ocean's new “quicker-picker-upper,” Res-Q ROV: go.whoi.edu/ResQ
Did you know that 50% of the Northeast's one-lush eelgrass beds have disappeared—along with the homes of many fish, crabs, and shellfish? 🦀🐡
📲Watch @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social ’s new series, featuring #WHOI scientist Matt Long's effort to restore these vital habitats: go.whoi.edu/pbs-oceanstate
📲Watch @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social ’s new series, featuring #WHOI scientist Matt Long's effort to restore these vital habitats: go.whoi.edu/pbs-oceanstate
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Did you know that 50% of the Northeast's one-lush eelgrass beds have disappeared—along with the homes of many fish, crabs, and shellfish? 🦀🐡
📲Watch @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social ’s new series, featuring #WHOI scientist Matt Long's effort to restore these vital habitats: go.whoi.edu/pbs-oceanstate
📲Watch @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social ’s new series, featuring #WHOI scientist Matt Long's effort to restore these vital habitats: go.whoi.edu/pbs-oceanstate
Hitchiking in the ocean? 👍
A new study, including WHOI, traced oil-covered trash from the shores of Florida to a 2019 spill in Brazil! It shows that oil can hitch a ride on plastics to travel thousands of miles from where it was spilled.
More from @agu.org ’s EOS: go.whoi.edu/eos-oil
A new study, including WHOI, traced oil-covered trash from the shores of Florida to a 2019 spill in Brazil! It shows that oil can hitch a ride on plastics to travel thousands of miles from where it was spilled.
More from @agu.org ’s EOS: go.whoi.edu/eos-oil
January 24, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Hitchiking in the ocean? 👍
A new study, including WHOI, traced oil-covered trash from the shores of Florida to a 2019 spill in Brazil! It shows that oil can hitch a ride on plastics to travel thousands of miles from where it was spilled.
More from @agu.org ’s EOS: go.whoi.edu/eos-oil
A new study, including WHOI, traced oil-covered trash from the shores of Florida to a 2019 spill in Brazil! It shows that oil can hitch a ride on plastics to travel thousands of miles from where it was spilled.
More from @agu.org ’s EOS: go.whoi.edu/eos-oil