The Glow Below: Bioluminescence in the Sea
I’m lying on the deck of the Songbird after a day’s diving in Lake Powell, staring up through the thin, high altitude atmosphere. Never…
Ocean Science
Archimedes and the Basics of Buoyancy
Jonah Kayton slips silently beneath the waves, and begins a slow descent with his buddy to the wreck waiting below. Sensing the acceleration in…
The Sickly Seas: Reaping the Unwanted Harvest of a Plastic Overload
I’m roaming a tropical beach, basking in its warmth and beauty. As I stroll the beach, caressed by the gentle surf and swept by…
The Underwater Science of Sound
If you’re a marine animal, odds are very good that you need sound. From whales to dolphins to shrimp, many marine species rely on…
The Marvel of Moon Jellies: Shapeshifting and Other Survival Strategies for Deep Exploration
Life is hard and the key to survival is learning how to deal with failures. Since man first started to use tools and build…
In a Styrofoam Sea: Addressing the Problem of Plastic Pollution in our Oceans
Not so long ago I had what many (including myself) might consider the perfect job. As the founder and operator of an eco-tourism company...
Sanctuaries at Sea: The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
Where in the continental United States can you explore vibrant coral reefs and hundreds of years of historical artifacts while diving in warm, subtropical…
A River in the Sea: Understanding the Gulf Stream
Since I was a kid I’ve been a real history buff. Of course, much of history, like a good novel, is character-driven; and my…
Why Are Reef Fish so Colorful? The Science Behind the Beauty
Gil Rosenthal learned to scuba dive in college, and since then he’s never been able to stay out of the water. Like most divers,…
Bottomed Out and Going Nowhere: The Curious Lives of Bottom Dwellers
In many respects the ocean is a world in motion. Fishes swarm, circle and move in perfectly synchronized schools. Nomadic populations of bluefin tuna…