More Than Darkness: Human Factors and the Night Diver
“It’s like taking a stroll downtown at night,” said our instructor, Don. “Everybody is out — a really wild time.” Waving his arms in…
The Library
From Ripples to Rogues: How Waves Are Formed
Most people don’t spend much time thinking about ocean waves. Those who go out on the ocean, however, can’t help but think about them….
Marine Habitats, Part IV: Life in the Open Sea
We loaded the boat in the first flickering light of dawn. Three hours later we were 20-plus miles/32 km out to sea, completely out…
Marine Habitats, Part III: Life in a Coral Reef Community
Question: Can you name the largest biologically produced structures to ever exist on Earth? Clue: It is not an extinct dinosaur, nor is it…
Life in the Sand and Rubble ecosystems (Part 2)
This article is the second in a four-part series that deals with different ecosystems in the world’s oceans. In this segment, we will take…
Neptune’s Nurseries: Where Sea Meets Land
The intertwined roots of mangroves help stabilize the substrate, providing a better environment for swamp residents. In such food-rich areas, it probably comes as…
How Fishes Use Color
What is the most beautifully colored fish in the world? This is a question that can be passionately debated for hours. Surely the Harlequin…
Sea Breezes: How Winds Affect Diving
The chance of finding Spanish treasure is one of the bonuses of diving in many places along Florida’s coast. In fact, a few people have become wealthy diving for gold, silver and jewels recovered from the sites of wrecked Spanish ships. Anyone who finds even a single 16th-century coin can thank Mother Nature, especially the wind. The extreme winds of hurricanes and the waves they kick up sank most of the ships from three different Spanish fleets along different parts of Florida’s Coast.
Squid Run – Invasion of the Cephalopods
New Year’s Eve, and the clock was just about to strike midnight. In the streets and bars of San Diego’s famed La Jolla district,…
The Oceans’ Rhythm – Understanding Tide Changes
The rhythms of the tides dominate life around the edges of the oceans. Understanding and using these rhythms can make a trip to the…