This article discusses the different zones of light that exist within the ocean and how the varying degrees of sunlight and total darkness affect what lives in each zone. Specifically, it covers: the photic zone, the only region where plants and organisms that depend on photosynthesis can live; the aphotic zone, where light is too dim for photosynthesis and organisms rely on detritus (bits of decaying ... Full description.

Follow a deep sea mission to recover the top of a black smoker and learn about hydrothermal vent communities and the technology that lets us observe them. Site features background information on the vessels, the mission, and the crew, as well as journal entries, ask an expert, and an abundance of information on the habitat. Also features links to additional resources including websites, books, video, ... Full description.

What can sharks teach us about our immune system? What can horseshoe crabs show us about eyesight? The more we learn about the ocean, the more we realize how critical these vast bodies of water are to our health and well-being. Sometimes the ocean helps us, as when a marine organism yields a new medical treatment. At other times, the ocean poses the threat of coastal storm surges or toxic algal ... Full description.

On this 2003 expedition, scientists from several institutions explored a hydrothermal field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, studying limestone formations and new life forms, creating maps of this unique location. Overviews include: research objectives, deep sea hot spring environments, seafloor mapping, marine geology, vent chemistry, instrumentation and vessel technology. Shipboard life communicated through ... Full description.

This site contains astrobiology news and links about: astrochemistry, bioinformatics, biosatellites, gravitational biology, hydrothermal vent communities, genomics, astropaleobiology, radiation physiology, the search for exterrestrial intelligence (SETI), extremophiles, exopaleontology, cell biology, evolution, planetary protection, and space medicine. There are also links to NASA TV and video feeds, ... Full description.

In November 1999, a team of scientists, students, and film makers aboard WHOI's Atlantis. ventured to hydrothermal vent sites at 9 degrees North in the Eastern Pacific. Using the submersible Alvin, they documented how the biology and landscape of these deep sea oases had changed in the 10 years since their discovery. This expedition report contains daily logs, images, profiles of the scientists and ... Full description.

This article reports on an unsuccessful dive attempt to study deep sea vents at the Juan de Fuca Ridge. It offers an overview of the pressure in the deep seas, including how it builds, how much our bodies can withstand, and the dangers it poses in the study of deep sea vents. It describes the technology that protects crews from pressure and allows them to safely dive to depths of 2,500 meters and ... Full description.

The activities in this 16-page magazine encourage children to look more closely at geology in their local environments and support their exploration of a range of dynamic Earth processes. Full description.

This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) site presents video animations and maps of exploration routes, bathymetry, undersea tracks of submersibles, satellite imagery, aerial photography. The section of animated images includes a three-dimentional flythrough created by using bathymetric data, video animations of a mid-ocean spreading center, an animation of the subduction zone, ... Full description.

This is the site to go to for information about Alvin, the deep submergence vehicle. Describes the history of Alvin, dive statistics, dive logs, dive site viewer, publication, and photos. Students will love the interactive Alvin simulator. Also available are a user manual, observer information, and cruise planning tips. An excellent marine technology resource. Full description.