444 Items Tagged

Oceans

Candidates for the most dangerous seas in the world include the North Atlantic, the Southern Ocean, especially the Drake Passage, and the waters near the Cape of Good Hope.

Where Are the World's Most Dangerous Seas?

From the Drake Passage to the Bermuda Triangle, these waters have a reputation for death and destruction.

Laura Kiniry July 16, 2024

Żebbuġ, Malta

Xwejni Salt Pans

People have been making salt here using traditional methods for centuries.

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Ocean Fantasy Museum

An antiquated aquarium housed in a converted government anti-nuclear bunker.

Anumi Sassaroli surveys the fish population on a portion of the Florida Keys' barrier reef as part of a coral conservation project through the nonprofit CARES.

These Summer Campers Are Saving Oceans One Coral Polyp at a Time

In the Florida Keys, young people are helping to rebuild the world's third largest barrier reef.

Karuna Eberl June 25, 2024

The tentacles of a colossal squid sit on the surface of the water as it is defrosted at Te Papa labs in Wellington on September 16, 2014. The squid was caught by a fishing boat longline in the Antarctic over the summer and kept on ice until scientists worked to thaw it out to begin examining the specimen.

Wonder Is Everywhere: The ‘Real’ Kraken, an Ancient Pet Cemetery, and More From Around the Web

Get a peek into what we’re obsessed with right now.

April White June 10, 2024

Podcast: Floating Along with Florida's Gentle Giants

Meet Florida’s unofficial mascot: the manatee.

Sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA

East End, Cayman Islands

The Blowholes

This natural rock formation spouts jets of water into the air.

Even from 140 million miles away, we are impacted by our smaller planetary neighbor.

We Know the Moon Makes Tides, but What About Mars?

Recent research suggests that our planetary neighbor causes a stir deep under the ocean.

Robin George Andrews April 2, 2024

McMurdo Station, Antarctica

Observation Tube

A vertical tube that allows you to see what's going on underneath the Antarctic sea ice.

The U.S. grabbed a whole lot of soil, but no fish.

The U.S. Just Expanded the Size of Two Californias

It’s like another Louisiana Purchase.

Frank Jacobs, Big Think March 15, 2024

Playa Herradura, Costa Rica

Playa Blanca Underwater Museum

These submerged sculptures create a new habitat for marine life and exciting diving experience.

A bathymetric map shows the Solito Seamount off the coast of Chile. Scientists on a recent expedition found isolated seamounts like these to hold distinct ecosystems, including thriving deep-sea coral reefs and sponge gardens.

Every Time They're Found, Underwater Volcanoes Just Burst With Life

New discoveries off the Chilean coast include dozens of species new to science.

Robin George Andrews March 12, 2024

Latin for “nobody,” Point Nemo has a fitting name.

space exploration

The Most Remote Place on Earth Has Space Junk and a Sea Monster

Eerie things happen at Point Nemo.

Frank Jacobs, Big Think March 8, 2024

Many-armed sunflower sea stars are fast-moving and can grow to the diameter of a bicycle tire, making them formidable hunters.

Baby Sea Stars Are Voracious Predators That Might Just Save an Ecosystem

Along the Pacific Coast, fast and furious sunflower sea stars are vicious hunters as adults—and they're even hungrier when young.

Roxanne Hoorn February 27, 2024

All illustrations: John Mata for Atlas Obscura

The Atlas Obscura Crossword: Don't Get Wrecked

AO Puzzles February 26, 2024

Australian giant cuttlefish males (top) and females (bottom) show different coloration in mating displays.

The Weird and Wonderful World of Sex Under the Sea

From penis dueling to pee potions to switching sexes, there’s no one right way of getting it on in the ocean.

Roxanne Hoorn February 21, 2024

El Nido, Philippines

Snake Island of Palawan

This unusual island has a winding sand bridge that only appears at low tide.

In the waters beyond La Palma's Cumbre Nueva mountains (shown here), San Borondón is said to appear to the west of the Canary Islands archipelago.

In the Canary Islands, a Mysterious Phantom Isle Haunts Local Imagination

The legend of San Borondón all started with an Irish saint.

Cat Rainsford February 9, 2024