What they do
WHOI is the largest independent oceanographic research institution in the US, operating research vessels, submersibles (including Alvin), autonomous underwater vehicles, and deep-sea observatories. Research programs cover ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, seafloor geology, ocean-climate interactions, and marine technology development. Over 1,000 staff including 200+ scientists and engineers.
Why they matter
WHOI's deep-sea research capabilities are unmatched. Their submersible Alvin has made over 5,000 dives, including the discovery of hydrothermal vent ecosystems that rewrote our understanding of life on Earth. Their ocean circulation research is essential for understanding how the ocean absorbs heat and CO2, which directly affects climate projections. When climate models need ocean data, much of it comes from WHOI instruments and expeditions.
How to support
Access their free educational resources and Ocean Insights blog. The WHOI Ocean Discovery Center in Woods Hole, MA offers public exhibits and tours. Donations fund ocean research expeditions and early-career scientist fellowships.
Key project to explore
The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) operates permanent deep-sea monitoring stations providing continuous, real-time data on ocean temperature, chemistry, and biology from the surface to the seafloor.