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ancient oceans
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- 1David Attenborough's Ocean documentary stirs outrage over bottom trawling●That reminds me of the devastating images of bottom trawlers from Attenborough's latest documentary Ocean, the most horr
A documentary by David Attenborough, titled Ocean, is drawing strong reactions for its footage of bottom trawlers destroying seabed ecosystems. Viewers describe the images of heavy trawl gear crushing ancient cold-water coral gardens as among the most disturbing scenes of environmental destruction they have seen, renewing calls for restrictions on the fishing practice.
- 2Fossils from an ancient ocean explored in Santa Cruz column▼Gary Griggs, Our Ocean Backyard | Fossils from an ancient ocean
Gary Griggs's latest Our Ocean Backyard column examines fossils from an ancient ocean, continuing his long-running series for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. The piece looks at how marine remains record past ocean conditions, offering readers in the Monterey Bay area a local lens on deep-time ocean history and changing seas.
- 3Oxygen-starved waters may hold clues to early life▼Oxygen-deprived underwater zones may not be “dead zones” but clue to early life
New research published in AGU's journal suggests low-oxygen underwater zones, often called 'dead zones', may instead offer insight into conditions on early Earth, when life emerged in oxygen-poor oceans. Scientists argue these environments could act as modern analogues for ancient ecosystems, challenging the assumption that oxygen-depleted waters are biologically barren.
- 4Scientists Say Millions of Ancient 'Batteries' Lie on the Ocean Floor▼Scientists Just Discovered Millions of Ancient ‘Batteries’ Hiding on the Bottom of the Ocean
Scientists report the discovery of millions of ancient 'battery'-like formations resting on the seabed, according to a report by Popular Mechanics. The find suggests these natural structures, likened to batteries, may have formed long ago on the ocean floor. Details about who made the discovery, where, and what the formations actually are remain limited in early coverage.
- 5Ancient ocean chemistry may guide search for alien life▼Ocean chemistry on ancient Earth could help scientists search for life on alien worlds
Scientists are examining the chemistry of Earth's ancient oceans to better understand the conditions under which life first emerged. The findings could sharpen the search for biosignatures on distant planets and moons, helping researchers identify which alien water worlds are most likely to host life and what chemical signals future telescopes should look for.
- 6Hawaiian canoe navigating by stars carries a diplomatic message▼This Hawaiian canoe navigates by the sun, moon and stars. What its mission says about global diplomacy
A traditional Hawaiian canoe is sailing using only the sun, moon and stars for navigation, reviving ancient Polynesian wayfinding techniques. Commentators point to its voyage as a symbol of global diplomacy, arguing the journey connects cultures and promotes stewardship of the ocean. The story highlights how indigenous maritime traditions can carry contemporary messages about cooperation and environmental care across the world.
- 7Hawaii's Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the ocean▼Hawaii's picturesque Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the ocean
The Hōlei Sea Arch, a famous natural rock formation on Hawaii's Big Island near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has collapsed into the ocean. The arch, a popular stop for visitors along the Chain of Craters Road, was formed from ancient lava flows and shaped by constant wave erosion. The collapse removes a well-known landmark from one of Hawaii's most scenic coastal stretches.
- 8Six New Wellness Experiences Emerge Across the Indian Ocean▼From Lunar Rituals to Biomarker Testing—6 New Ways to Experience Wellness in the Indian Ocean
National Geographic highlights six new wellness experiences across the Indian Ocean region, ranging from traditional lunar-inspired rituals to modern biomarker testing. The feature points to a growing trend of destinations blending ancient cultural practices with cutting-edge health science to attract travellers seeking restorative experiences. Resorts and retreats in the region are increasingly positioning wellness as a central draw for visitors.
- 9Hawaii's Holei sea arch collapses into the Pacific▼Hawaii's centuries-old sea arch collapses into Pacific after series of rough storms https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/
Hawaii's centuries-old Holei sea arch has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean following a series of rough storms. The natural formation, a well-known landmark in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, was pounded by severe weather before giving way. The loss of the ancient arch is being widely reported as a striking reminder of how quickly coastal landmarks can be reshaped by extreme weather.
- 10Ancient Martian deltas reveal timing of early ocean retreat▼Delta morphology reveals timings of early ocean regression and hydrologic shift on ancient Mars
New research published in Nature uses the shape and structure of ancient deltas on Mars to pin down when the planet's early ocean receded and when hydrologic conditions shifted. By analyzing delta morphology, researchers established timings for the regression of the putative northern ocean and the subsequent decline of surface water activity, refining the timeline of Mars' transition from a wetter world to the arid planet seen today.
- 11Hawaii's iconic Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the ocean▼Hawaii’s iconic Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into Pacific Ocean
The Hōlei Sea Arch, a well-known lava rock formation on Hawaii's Big Island near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. The natural arch, formed from ancient volcanic rock, was a popular sightseeing landmark along the Chain of Craters Road coastline. The collapse adds to ongoing changes along Hawaii's volcanic shoreline, where erosion and volcanic activity continually reshape the coast.
- 12
NOAA Ocean Exploration has shared imagery of a striking glass sponge observed during deep-sea exploration, drawing attention to the intricate silica skeletons these ancient animals build on the ocean floor. Glass sponges can live for thousands of years and filter massive volumes of water, and footage like this routinely fascinates ocean fans and highlights how little of the deep sea has been seen.
- 13
NOAA Ocean Exploration has highlighted a stalked crinoid, an ancient marine animal related to sea stars and sea urchins, observed during deep-sea exploration work. These creatures attach to the seafloor by a stalk and use feather-like arms to filter food from the water. Sightings like this draw attention to how little of the deep ocean has been documented and studied.
- 14Coral core from Olowalu Reef reveals 250 years of climate change●Ancient Coral Core from Olowalu Reef Reveals 250 Years of Climate and Land-Use Change
Scientists have extracted an ancient coral core from Olowalu Reef on Maui, Hawaii, capturing roughly 250 years of environmental history. The core's chemical makeup records shifts in ocean temperature, rainfall and land-use practices, offering a long-term baseline of how runoff and climate change have affected the reef. Researchers say it will help guide restoration and conservation of Hawaiian reefs.