Sustained data for a changing ocean

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a science-driven ocean observing network that delivers real-time data from more than 900 instruments to address critical science questions regarding the world's oceans.

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation to encourage scientific investigation, OOI data are freely available online to anyone with an Internet connection.

Our Mission

The NSF's Ocean Observatories Initiative operates and maintains sophisticated instrumentation in demanding ocean locations to collect and provide data to better understand the ocean, its complexity, and how it is changing because of natural and anthropogenic processes. The OOI connects the community to a wide range of ocean platforms and sensors through its cyberinfrastructure without the need to go to sea.

A Visual journey

A Window into the Changing Planet is a short documentary that shows the beauty and fragility of the ocean and explains how scientists, students, and policymakers are using OOI data to determine how the ocean is changing, at what speed, and what it means for the planet.

OOI Updates

Learn about the latest OOI activities and how OOI data are changing the shape of classroom instruction and advancing ocean research.

OOI In The News November 18, 2024

UW Physics Lab Engineer to Speak about Science of Underwater Sound

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Science Highlights October 31, 2024

Irminger Sea Carbon Cycle

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Science Highlights October 31, 2024

Impact of Ocean Model Resolution on Temperature Inversions in the Northeast Pacific Ocean

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Science Highlights October 31, 2024

New Hints When Axial Might Erupt: Precursor Events Detected Through Machine Learning

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News October 30, 2024

OOI-CGSN Team Completes First Standalone AUV Cruise at Pioneer MAB Array

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News October 25, 2024

Upcoming OOI SUGR Meeting Focused on Advancing Ocean Carbon Research

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How to Access Data October 23, 2024

A Forum for OOI’s Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) Community

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News October 18, 2024

Open Call for Applications: OOI Facility Board

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News October 17, 2024

OOI Supports Scientific Collaboration at UCAR Annual Meeting

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News October 10, 2024

UG2 Workshop ’24: A Collaborative Hub for Underwater Glider Innovation

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News September 30, 2024

Irminger Sea Wind Speed Validation

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News September 25, 2024

Connecting Science and Community: Key Insights from the OOIFB Pioneer MAB Workshop

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OOI In The News September 24, 2024

URI Receives $3.2 Million NSF Award to Support OOI

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News September 20, 2024

Deep-Sea Biodiversity: VIAME and OOI JupyterHub Accelerate Research

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News September 5, 2024

Data Systems Committee – Call for Applications

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News August 28, 2024

Summer Science Tours: CGSN Engages Young Environmentalists

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News August 23, 2024

CI Compass Fellowship: Empowering Undergraduates Through Hands-On Experience with OOI

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News August 9, 2024

Where Sea Meets Sky: Children’s School Explores the Ocean’s Impact on Weather at OOI

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News August 6, 2024

Inside the Role of a Subsurface Mooring Lead

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Science Highlights July 31, 2024

Deep-Ocean Vertical Structure

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Science Highlights July 31, 2024

Subsurface Acoustic Ducts in the Northern California Current System

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Science Highlights July 31, 2024

Axial Seamount: The Phoenix Rises

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Expeditions July 29, 2024

Off We Go – Will Axial Seamount Surprise Us?

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OOI In The News July 25, 2024

Awash with Data

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News July 12, 2024

POGO Fellow Aditi Sharma Returns from Sea and Reflects on 17-Day Expedition

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Latest Expeditions

Learn about the latest OOI expeditions that keep the OOI arrays continuously gathering so you have access to real-time ocean data around the clock from your laptop.

OOI Events

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Upcoming Event
Dec 08 2024 - Dec 08 2024 @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

Advancing Ocean Carbon Science: OOI SUGR Meeting on Data Quality and Best Practices

OOI Events

Dec 09 2024 - Dec 13 2024 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

AGU Fall Meeting

Jan 12 2025 - Jan 12 2025 @ 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Tools to Investigate Air-Sea Interaction using Meteorological Data from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI)

How to participate

OOI brings data to your doorstep, without ever having to go to sea.

Opportunities exist to customize OOI data by adding instruments or platforms to the existing infrastructure, proposing additional or modified sampling, participating in cruises, borrowing OOI equipment, or simply exploring real-time data to answer scientific questions. Explore the ways you can participate in the OOI.