Groundbreaking Virtual Aquarium Brings Deep-Sea to the Surface

A new interactive online exhibit lets audiences experience deep-sea animals and environments that are impossible to explore in-person.  Try the game at worldoceanexplorer.org/deep-sea-aquarium.html  The World Ocean Observatory (W2O) and Schmidt Ocean Institute (SOI) announced today the launch of World Ocean Explorer DEEP SEA exhibit, creating a first-of-its kind immersive virtual aquarium showcasing deep-sea discoveries. THE … Continued

AUSTRALIAN SCIENTISTS DISCOVER 500 METER TALL CORAL REEF IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF–FIRST TO BE DISCOVERED IN OVER 120 YEARS

CAPE YORK, AUSTRALIA – Scientists have discovered a massive detached coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef–the first to be discovered in over 120 years, Schmidt Ocean Institute announced today. Measuring more than 500m high–taller than the Empire State Building, the Sydney Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers–the reef was discovered by Australian scientists aboard Schmidt … Continued

ERIC AND WENDY SCHMIDT ANNOUNCE NEW $1 BILLION PHILANTHROPIC COMMITMENT TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP AND SUPPORT GLOBAL TALENT WORKING IN SERVICE OF OTHERS

MENLO PARK, Calif.— Eric and Wendy Schmidt announced today a $1 billion philanthropic commitment to identify and support talent across disciplines and around the world to serve others and help address the world’s most pressing problems. Building on the last 13 years of their family’s philanthropy, led by Wendy Schmidt, the couple has steadily increased … Continued

Fleet of Aerial, Surface and Underwater Robots Maps Ocean Front

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Using multiple autonomous vehicles simultaneously, an interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers returns to the United States after exploring the North Pacific  Subtropical front – a sharp boundary where cold fresh waters from the north meet warm salty waters from the south. The fronts are the most conspicuous oceanographic phenomena and … Continued

Scientists Explore Earth’s Newest Land Using Advanced, High-Resolution 3D Mapping

SUVA, FIJI – Research vessel (R/V) Falkor will return to port today after 28 days at sea conducting pioneering studies including mapping the Earth’s newest island landscape in the Kingdom of Tonga (Southwestern Pacific). NASA has partnered with Schmidt Ocean Institute and Columbia University to produce a high resolution submarine topographic map of the undersea … Continued

Virtual Reality Technology Reveals Underwater Vents in New Ways

Scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel Falkor have developed the first 3D model of an entire hydrothermal vent field for Virtual Reality, covering the largest area of seafloor ever imaged that way. SUVA, FIJI – After 13 days at sea, chief scientist Dr. Tom Kwasnitschka from GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, along … Continued