Keep On Venting – Ep. 2 – What is Chemosynthesis?

Hydrothermal vents are some of the most biologically active areas in the deep sea. Why? How can creatures not only survive, but *thrive* in areas with harsh chemicals, huge temperature differences, and crushing pressure? Come aboard Research Vessel Falkor and let SOI’s Science Communication intern Brittany Washington explain these wondrous and beautiful underwater features, as … Continued

Keep On Venting – Ep. 1 – A Hydrothermal What?

How do interactions between the Earth’s rocky crust, molten core, and liquid oceans create hydrothermal vents? What exactly are these vents, and why are they interesting to researchers all over the world? Come aboard Research Vessel Falkor and let SOI’s Science Communication intern Brittany Washington explain these wondrous and beautiful underwater features, as well as … Continued

The Opening of the Gulf of California

Tectonic plates are in constant motion, slowly moving along the Earth’s mantle as hot magma circulates below. These slow-moving plates are responsible for the formation of the continents we know today as well as ocean basins. While most ocean basins take around 30 to 80 million years to form, the Gulf of California (GOC) formed … Continued

Science Story – Microorganism Champions – Video Update

Microorganisms are the champions of changing the chemistry of ecosystems, and oftentimes they form exciting partnerships with one another to create new, unique types of chemistry that neither can do alone. Victoria Orphan is featured in the newest #PescaderoVentDiving2 expedition “Science Story,” explaining her background and passion in exploring seeps and hydrothermal vents. 

Climate Under Pressure – Video Premiere

This film premiered at the “Climate and the Deep Sea World” event and panel at The 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26. The film examines deep-sea exploration and climate, and features compelling footage from a number of expeditions that took place on Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Research Vessel Falkor. “There is an … Continued

Heat Flow and Vent Chemistry – Video Update

“The Auka Vent Field is relatively close (to the JaichMaa’ja’ag field), so we were expecting to find similar readings. We were surprised to find out that the heat decays more rapidly and there seems to be a relation between biodiverse spots and warmer areas, even without hydrothermal vents.” The #PescaderoVentDiving2 science team explains the goals … Continued

Artist-At-Sea – Conversing with Rocks – Video Update

“I believe observation trigger the creative process. Science and art are both creative and require observation. They compliment each other as ways to ask questions about nature.” Artist-at-Sea Ale de la Puente discusses her methods, approach, and excitement in working with the #PescaderoVentDiving2 crew on board R/V Falkor. 

Architecture of the Depths

Traducción al español a continuación In all of the known universe, Earth is the only planet that hosts not only life, but also liquid water on its surface. Our oceans, rich in marine life, cover approximately 71% of the Earth’s outermost layer, which geologists refer to as “The Crust” (Fig 1). Mapmaking technology, or cartography, … Continued

Tectonics and Mapping – Video Update

“Our aim is to acquire high-resolution images of the seafloor so we can better interpret all of the tectonic processes related to the ongoing opening of the Gulf of California along this region.” Leg One of the #PescaderoVentDiving2 expedition is all about tectonics and mapping. In this video, researchers on R/V Falkor explain what they … Continued