246-million-year-old giant sea lizard is oldest to be found in the region

A single vertebra dug out of a boulder in a stream below a mountain in New Zealand in 1978 has now been found to have belonged to the oldest known sea reptile in the Southern Hemisphere, where no record of these huge beasts had existed until now. It da… Continue reading 246-million-year-old giant sea lizard is oldest to be found in the region

Coordinated jet propulsion corkscrews these odd creatures through the water

A strange sea creature known as the salp reproduces asexually, building long chains of clones. Researchers have now decoded the way these long salp chains propel themselves, a finding that could lead to better propulsion systems for underwater vehicles… Continue reading Coordinated jet propulsion corkscrews these odd creatures through the water

Pedal-powered propeller accelerates swimmers through the water

I can’t say I’ve seen anything like this “underwater mobility device” before. The idea is simple enough; you extend the Seabike’s pole to the appropriate length, then strap it to your waist with a belt. Then you find the pedals with your feet, and star… Continue reading Pedal-powered propeller accelerates swimmers through the water

Sounds appealing – reef recordings entice coral larvae to start building

Scientists have discovered that audio recordings of healthy coral reefs may help attract free-swimming coral larvae to damaged ones. The finding could be a major step toward preserving the world’s coral reefs, an estimated 25% of which have died out in… Continue reading Sounds appealing – reef recordings entice coral larvae to start building

Speedy biohybrid jellyfish are part-gelatinous, part-machine

If you want to gather climate-change data from the deep ocean, why not just hitch a ride with an organism that’s going down there anyways? That’s the thinking which led to the creation of “biohybrid jellyfish” which pack not one but two speed-boosting … Continue reading Speedy biohybrid jellyfish are part-gelatinous, part-machine

Massive geothermal potential found offshore, where the Earth splits

A potentially game-changing and largely unexplored energy jackpot lies beneath the ocean floor, according to a whitepaper from geoscience tech consultancy CGG. Unique conditions under the sea bed promise cheaper and more accessible geothermal power.Con… Continue reading Massive geothermal potential found offshore, where the Earth splits

Another ice-sealed ocean has been found in our solar system

Researchers have just revealed that Mimas, one of Saturn’s smallest moons, has an ocean of liquid water flowing under its entire surface. What is really making waves though, is how young the body of water is: just 5 to 15 million years old.Continue Rea… Continue reading Another ice-sealed ocean has been found in our solar system

WaveRoller sea-floor generator approaches commercial deployment

Wave energy remains one of the least-exploited clean energy options, with huge potential as part of a green energy grid. Finland’s AW Energy is preparing to field a contender at scale – the Waveroller – which sits on the sea bed generating up to 1 MW.C… Continue reading WaveRoller sea-floor generator approaches commercial deployment

Polynesian Wayfinding Traditions Let Humans Roam The Pacific Ocean

Polynesian cultures have a remarkable navigational tradition. It stands as a testament to human ingenuity and an intimate understanding of nature. Where Western cultures developed maps and tools to plot …read more Continue reading Polynesian Wayfinding Traditions Let Humans Roam The Pacific Ocean