Oceans

The underwater world relies on sound signals—so what happens when a noisy reef falls silent?

Data from beach cleanups show that banning or taxing single-use plastic bags makes a difference in ecosystems

How hurricanes push water onto shore in deadly storm surges, and why storm surges are getting worse

New research helps the “ocean’s veins” thrive under heat stress

A new review of ocean data suggests that more than 99.999 percent of the global deep seafloor has never been seen by humans. But what does that really mean?

Scientists identified four arm wave signals cuttlefish use: “up,” “side,” “roll” and “crown”

The owners of a controversial mining license have begun extracting valuable metals from the ocean floor

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation likely won't completely collapse with global warming, but any weakening could have grave consequences worldwide

This strange sea creature stumped scientists for 20 years. Here’s what it really is

The ocean’s digestive system is dictated by picky microbes and precise dynamics of drifting debris

Changing the ocean’s chemical and biological makeup could force it to pull vast amounts of planet-warming carbon from the atmosphere. But is that a line we want to cross?

Oil rigs around the world are habitats for marine species. When they stop producing oil, should they be removed or allowed to stay?