OCEANS

What Causes Red Tides?

The phenomenon might look like a biblical plague, but the source is far more mundane.

A map of the world's undersea cables in 2015.

10 Deep Facts About the Internet’s Undersea Cables

The internet is really just a spaghetti-work of really long wires found in the coldest depths of the ocean.

Shark-Related Tourism Is Now Banned in Mexico’s Cage-Diving Capital

Shark-related tourist activities are now illegal in Mexico’s Isla Guadalupe Biosphere Reserve—a hotspot for great whites.

What Kind of Fish Is Dory From Finding Nemo?

Before 2003's 'Finding Nemo,' 'Dory fish' were best known by another name. Actually, several other names.

Bubble curtains have the power to decrease underwater noise.

Human Noise Harms the Ocean’s Biggest Creatures. Tiny Bubbles Could Help Protect Them.

While individual bubbles are fragile things, walls of them can muffle a major source of loud ocean noise.

The Wreck of the ‘Äpplet’—Sister Ship of Sweden’s Infamous ‘Vasa’—Has Been Found After More Than Three Centuries

‘Äpplet’ had a more successful naval career than its short-lived sibling, the ‘Vasa.’ Studying its wreck could help explain why.

It's not even close to being this glamorous.

How Do Oysters Make Pearls?

It sometimes starts with a grain of sand—but not always.

Nearly 60,000 Beluga Whales Are Migrating from the Arctic Into Canada—and Webcams Will Capture Their Journey

Thousands of beluga whales are swimming south, and you can watch their progress live.

A humpback whale in clear tropical waters

12 Fascinating Facts About Whales

We still have a lot to learn about these beasts of the deep.

Spot the Turtle Among the Plastic Waste in This Ocean-Themed Brainteaser

There's a turtle swimming through the marine life and plastic waste in this hidden-image puzzle. How fast can you spot it?

You won't have to head to sea to see some icebergs.

11 Cool Facts About Iceberg Alley

Every spring, hundreds of icebergs drift by the waters of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

No, this is not proper diving equipment.

Wizard of Odd: Scientists Have Found a 'Yellow Brick Road' Deep in the Pacific Ocean

The strange path was discovered by a remote exploration vessel. And no, it is not named Dorothy.

Aerial view of Kealakekua Bay on Hawaii's Big Island, where sea voyager James Cook met his end

10 Remarkable Sea Voyagers

Oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. And since ancient times, people have made a name for themselves by exploring them.

Watch What Happens When You Crack an Egg Underwater

In this video, a scuba diver demonstrates what happens to a raw egg 60 feet below the ocean's surface.

Which Country Has the Longest Coastline?

Experts agree that Canada has the world's longest coastline, but the exact length is disputed.

Octopuses Are Recycling Bottles and Cans for Shelter

A new study found that octopuses are repurposing marine litter to create protective shelters for themselves.

It's actually just one really big ocean.

How Many Oceans Are There, Really?

Thanks to the debate surrounding the validity of the Southern Ocean, it’s more than a one-word answer.

Study Suggests That Some Sharks Sleep—And They Keep Their Eyes Open When They Do

A new study suggests that some sharks do sleep, even though they appear to be wide-awake when they're catching up on theirs Zs.

Explorer Ferdinand Magellan didn't quite get all the way around the globe.

11 of History’s Most Famous Sea Voyages

Throughout history, sea travel has provided a watery road to modern globalism. Here are 11 incredible sea voyages that advanced our understanding of the world.

The Blue Whale Can Weigh Up to 330,000 Pounds—And Has the Biggest Penis in the Animal Kingdom

The sexual organ of the majestic blue whale is so impressive that some speculate it's been mistaken for sea monsters.

The globster known as the St. Augustine Monster washed up on a Florida beach in 1896.

6 Bizarre Globsters That Have Washed Ashore

Though these marine mysteries are often solved, globsters—unidentified organic masses that wash up on beaches—continue to capture the public’s imagination.

The World's 10 Best Beaches, According to Tripadvisor

If you're already dreaming of your first summer getaway of the year, this list of the best beach destinations around the world may give you some inspiration.

Why LEGO Pieces Have Been Washing Up on English Beaches for 25 Years

In 1997, 4.8 million LEGO pieces—many of which were nautical-themed—fell off a cargo ship. They're still turning up on beaches 25 years later.

For the First Time Ever, Scientists Witnessed—and Recorded—Orcas Stalking and Killing a Blue Whale

New video evidence shows that orcas are capable of hunting and killing blue whales—the largest animals on Earth.