https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/oceans/RSS feed for OceansenThu, 21 May 2026 21:36:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whalers-didnt-just-sing-sea-shanties-and-seek-adventure-proof-of-laborers-grueling-work-is-in-their-skeletons-buried-in-the-arctic-180988787/Remains buried on Svalbard show the brutal toll whaling took on men in the 17th and 18th centuries. Climate change threatens these kinds of archaeological sites across the ArcticThu, 21 May 2026 21:36:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/whalers-didnt-just-sing-sea-shanties-and-seek-adventure-proof-of-laborers-grueling-work-is-in-their-skeletons-buried-in-the-arctic-180988787/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-did-crabs-evolve-their-iconic-sideways-scuttle-scientist-traced-it-to-a-200-million-year-old-common-ancestor-180988765/The findings suggest that their famous lateral movement evolved just once. It may have helped the animals rapidly spread and diversify because moving in two directions meant they could easily escape predatorsWed, 20 May 2026 15:57:11 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-did-crabs-evolve-their-iconic-sideways-scuttle-scientist-traced-it-to-a-200-million-year-old-common-ancestor-180988765/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/from-basket-weaving-to-oyster-reef-conservation-gullah-geechee-women-are-preserving-a-living-heritage-180988762/Along America’s southeastern coast, descendants of enslaved Africans pass down traditions and knowledge of crafts, ecology and food through generationsTue, 19 May 2026 17:02:59 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/from-basket-weaving-to-oyster-reef-conservation-gullah-geechee-women-are-preserving-a-living-heritage-180988762/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/millions-of-bright-blue-blobs-called-by-the-wind-sailors-are-littering-beaches-along-the-west-coast-180988759/The strange creatures are washing up on shores across California, Oregon and Washington this spring—and making the coast smell especially fishyTue, 19 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/millions-of-bright-blue-blobs-called-by-the-wind-sailors-are-littering-beaches-along-the-west-coast-180988759/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-fish-hitches-rides-in-manta-rays-buttholes-according-to-new-research-180988736/Scientists suspect that the behavior could harm the manta rays, suggesting a complex relationship between remoras and their hosts that can sometimes be parasiticThu, 14 May 2026 19:56:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-fish-hitches-rides-in-manta-rays-buttholes-according-to-new-research-180988736/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-building-a-dam-across-the-bering-straight-save-the-planet-from-some-effects-of-climate-change-180988725/A preliminary study suggests that blocking off the waterway between Russia and Alaska could help the survival of a key system of ocean currents. But there could be potential unforeseen consequences, particularly to marine ecosystemsThu, 14 May 2026 16:05:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-building-a-dam-across-the-bering-straight-save-the-planet-from-some-effects-of-climate-change-180988725/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/The single-celled organisms usually shimmer for mere milliseconds, but researchers figured out how to sustain their illumination. The technology could one day be used to light robots' ways in the deep sea or spaceWed, 13 May 2026 15:43:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-marine-algae-glow-when-waves-disturb-them-their-bioluminescence-could-power-electricity-free-lamps-of-the-future-180988721/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-seabird-sue-blends-art-and-science-to-attract-birds-back-to-lost-habitat-180988724/For the past decade, Sue Schubel has been making detailed decoys of terns, puffins and other seabirds to entice real ones to restored or new homesWed, 13 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-seabird-sue-blends-art-and-science-to-attract-birds-back-to-lost-habitat-180988724/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chonkers-the-massive-sea-lion-drew-crowds-to-san-franciscos-famed-pier-39-then-a-new-chunky-showstopper-stole-his-identity-180988691/The Steller sea lion was an unusual visitor to the pier, which typically hosts smaller California sea lions. However, he may have moved on days ago, during which time a humongous member of the area's more common species tricked onlookersThu, 07 May 2026 16:19:46 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/chonkers-the-massive-sea-lion-drew-crowds-to-san-franciscos-famed-pier-39-then-a-new-chunky-showstopper-stole-his-identity-180988691/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/divers-discover-the-shipwreck-of-a-world-war-i-era-coast-guard-cutter-which-vanished-with-131-sailors-on-board-in-1918-180988676/The wreckage of the "Tampa," which was torpedoed by a German submarine, was found 50 miles off the coast of Cornwall, England. The disaster was the largest single American naval combat loss of life during the warThu, 07 May 2026 11:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/divers-discover-the-shipwreck-of-a-world-war-i-era-coast-guard-cutter-which-vanished-with-131-sailors-on-board-in-1918-180988676/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/timmy-the-whale-was-released-into-the-sea-after-being-stranded-off-the-german-coast-for-weeks-was-that-the-right-call-180988679/The humpback whale first entered shallow water at the end of March, but its health deteriorated over the past few weeks. Experts have criticized efforts to rescue the animal, which may have done more harm than goodWed, 06 May 2026 13:13:56 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/timmy-the-whale-was-released-into-the-sea-after-being-stranded-off-the-german-coast-for-weeks-was-that-the-right-call-180988679/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-deadly-outbreak-of-hantavirus-has-stranded-a-cruise-ship-in-the-atlantic-ocean-heres-what-to-know-about-the-rare-contagion-180988680/Three people associated with the vessel have died, and health officials have identified a total of two confirmed cases and five suspected cases of the infection. The virus usually spreads via contaminated rodent droppingsTue, 05 May 2026 21:08:42 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-deadly-outbreak-of-hantavirus-has-stranded-a-cruise-ship-in-the-atlantic-ocean-heres-what-to-know-about-the-rare-contagion-180988680/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/could-underwater-autonomous-robots-save-coral-reefs-180988626/Reef restoration is a slow process, with divers planting coral fragments one at a time by hand. But roboticists are now developing automated planters that could change the gameThu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/could-underwater-autonomous-robots-save-coral-reefs-180988626/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/warm-waters-are-usually-trapped-deep-within-the-southern-ocean-now-theyre-encroaching-on-antarctica-threatening-its-ice-180988636/Two new studies that relied on data from a fleet of diving robots show how climate change is altering ocean movements in ways that jeopardize the stability of the polar ice capTue, 28 Apr 2026 19:48:28 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/warm-waters-are-usually-trapped-deep-within-the-southern-ocean-now-theyre-encroaching-on-antarctica-threatening-its-ice-180988636/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-found-this-mysterious-golden-orb-on-the-seafloor-nearly-three-years-ago-now-they-finally-know-what-it-is-180988624/After a long, winding road of tests, researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and other institutions determined that the strange blob once attached a large sea anemone to a rockTue, 28 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-found-this-mysterious-golden-orb-on-the-seafloor-nearly-three-years-ago-now-they-finally-know-what-it-is-180988624/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-bone-crunching-octopus-was-nearly-the-size-of-a-semitruck-and-may-have-feasted-on-giant-reptiles-100-million-years-ago-180988616/The massive invertebrates may have been top predators, according to an analysis of their fossilized jaws. The work suggests that ancient oceans weren't completely ruled by spine-bearing creatures, as previously thoughtMon, 27 Apr 2026 16:04:46 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-bone-crunching-octopus-was-nearly-the-size-of-a-semitruck-and-may-have-feasted-on-giant-reptiles-100-million-years-ago-180988616/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-1-in-50-million-split-color-lobster-caught-off-the-coast-of-massachusetts-its-carrying-two-sets-of-genetic-information-180988615/The unusual-looking crustacean is two-toned, with a line dividing its body into an orange side and a brown side. This can happen when two fertilized, unlaid lobster eggs touch—causing one to absorb the otherMon, 27 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-the-1-in-50-million-split-color-lobster-caught-off-the-coast-of-massachusetts-its-carrying-two-sets-of-genetic-information-180988615/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/anglerfish-are-known-for-their-built-in-fishing-rods-new-research-sheds-light-on-how-these-lures-evolved-in-the-strange-creatures-180988577/A new study suggests the odd appendages first appeared in the fish's ancestors around 72 million years ago. Today, females might use them not only to attract prey but also to communicate with potential matesMon, 20 Apr 2026 21:41:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/anglerfish-are-known-for-their-built-in-fishing-rods-new-research-sheds-light-on-how-these-lures-evolved-in-the-strange-creatures-180988577/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-antilla-shipwreck-tells-the-story-of-when-world-war-II-came-to-Aruba-180988529/Tourists can learn about this history by snorkeling over the wreck of the German ship in shallow waters just off the island’s coastTue, 14 Apr 2026 12:54:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/the-antilla-shipwreck-tells-the-story-of-when-world-war-II-came-to-Aruba-180988529/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/octopus-sex-just-got-weirder-in-addition-to-depositing-sperm-males-specialized-mating-arm-can-taste-female-hormones-180988500/The hectocotylus is both a reproductive organ and a sensory organ, a rare combination in animals, new research suggestsThu, 09 Apr 2026 18:38:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/octopus-sex-just-got-weirder-in-addition-to-depositing-sperm-males-specialized-mating-arm-can-taste-female-hormones-180988500/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/chiringuitos-offer-the-quintessential-beach-bar-experience-on-spains-costa-del-sol-180988499/Steeped in history, the seafood joints are evolving to keep up with a global clientele and tightening environmental regulationsThu, 09 Apr 2026 16:49:45 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/chiringuitos-offer-the-quintessential-beach-bar-experience-on-spains-costa-del-sol-180988499/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-fossil-held-the-world-record-for-the-earliest-known-octopus-turns-out-its-not-an-octopus-after-all-180988511/New research suggests the 300-million-year-old specimen is actually a relative of the nautilusWed, 08 Apr 2026 21:07:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-fossil-held-the-world-record-for-the-earliest-known-octopus-turns-out-its-not-an-octopus-after-all-180988511/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-is-a-shark-a-new-genetic-analysis-throws-a-wrench-into-our-understanding-of-the-oceans-predators-180988501/Some shark species might belong to their own distinct lineage, which is separate from all other sharks, rays and skates, according to a new studyWed, 08 Apr 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/what-is-a-shark-a-new-genetic-analysis-throws-a-wrench-into-our-understanding-of-the-oceans-predators-180988501/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-500-million-year-old-fossil-of-a-claw-bearing-predator-uncovers-the-origins-of-spiders-scorpions-and-other-arthropods-180988477/A new analysis of a specimen found more than 40 years ago reveals the oldest known chelicerate, defined by its pair of pincer-like appendagesThu, 02 Apr 2026 20:22:13 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-500-million-year-old-fossil-of-a-claw-bearing-predator-uncovers-the-origins-of-spiders-scorpions-and-other-arthropods-180988477/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-unprecedented-footage-of-sperm-whales-helping-a-newborn-calf-take-its-first-breaths-180988450/Unrelated animals worked with the mother and her relatives, marking the first known evidence of whales from multiple families assisting in a birthTue, 31 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-unprecedented-footage-of-sperm-whales-helping-a-newborn-calf-take-its-first-breaths-180988450/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sharks-in-the-bahamas-test-positive-for-drugs-including-cocaine-and-painkillers-in-a-new-study-180988445/Around one-third of the studied sharks had detectable levels of the analyzed drugs in their bloodMon, 30 Mar 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/sharks-in-the-bahamas-test-positive-for-drugs-including-cocaine-and-painkillers-in-a-new-study-180988445/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-capture-the-first-known-footage-of-sperm-whales-headbutting-a-long-debated-behavior-that-inspired-moby-dick-180988411/Engaging in "rough play" might help young males practice for future headbutting contests in which they compete for matesWed, 25 Mar 2026 16:47:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/scientists-capture-the-first-known-footage-of-sperm-whales-headbutting-a-long-debated-behavior-that-inspired-moby-dick-180988411/