Science and the Sea

Cave Markers – January 5, 2020

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

The Mediterranean Sea has been recording sea level for millions of years in a cave on a Spanish island. As the water rises and falls, it adds layers of minerals […]

Glass Houses – December 29, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

There are many symbols of love, from the heart to red roses. And for some couples in Japan, it’s a glass vase — the skeleton of a sponge. Venus’s flower […]

Trade Winds – December 22, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

Today, the word “trade” means to swap something. That hasn’t always been the case, though. Centuries ago, it meant a path or a track. The new definition blew in on […]

Resting Eggs – December 15, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

From November through April, a tiny marine creature is pretty common in the coastal waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico. It’s a species of copepod. It looks like a […]

Wobbegong – December 8, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

When you walk on a tattered carpet or a stained-up rug, you don’t usually worry about it lunging up and biting you. Unless, that is, you happen to be walking […]

Hurricane Gliders – December 1, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

Hanging out in the water while a hurricane is bearing down sounds a little scary. But that’s just what some underwater “gliders” are doing. They’re recording ocean conditions before, during, […]

Nervy’ Squid – November 24, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

The squid has quite a nerve. In fact, it has the biggest nerve fiber in the animal kingdom — a thousand times wider than the typical human fiber. That’s made […]

Cayman Trench – November 17, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

The Caribbean Sea is known for its tourist-attracting wonders: sandy beaches, coral reefs, and beautiful blue-green waters. But the deepest part of the sea is full of geological wonders. Parts […]

Big Jaws – November 10, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

If you really want to see “jaws,” forget about great white sharks. Instead, look for the sarcastic fringehead. It’s a little fish — no more than a foot long. But […]

Icebound – November 3, 2019

HOST Damond Benningfield

DISCUSSION

Most of the time, an icebreaker that doesn’t plow through the ice is about as useful as a car without wheels. But a German icebreaker is scheduled to make an […]