Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory

In March 2025, the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory AVERT (avert.ldeo.columbia.edu) team and their collaborators at Costa Rica’s OVSICORI organized an international field workshop at Poás volcano in Costa Rica. With 30 scientists from 8 countries, the goal was to test novel field methods and instrumentation at a highly-active volcano. The aerial videos, captured by an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), show simultaneously the visible light and the thermal infrared signature of the summit crater and the highly acidic lake it hosts. The lake level has dropped rapidly during the workshop, revealing more outgassing vents at the crater floor. UAS provide a safe way to monitor activity in volcanoes, especially during times of elevated activity such as the current period at Poás, which experienced multiple explosions before, during, and after the workshop. ?? Footage from a drone flying with two cameras looking at approximately the same area, one recording in visible (seen here) and one in thermal wavelengths. Credit: Einat Lev Related Reading: ???High in a Cloud Forest, Tapping Into the Breathing of a Volcanic Beast https://lnkd.in/eTWeTqVi ?? Anticipating Volcanic Eruptions in Real Time https://lnkd.in/eSfUM8Sz ?? Poás Volcano Field Workshop https://lnkd.in/eBt8hThc

Along with students from our Undergraduate Sustainable Development program, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory geophysicist Michael Steckler made his 25th trip to Bangladesh where a large and growing population lives in one of the most dynamic and sensitive environments on Earth, subject to multiple natural disasters and threatened by climate change. Learn more:? https://lnkd.in/emH2Dvhc ?? Students interviewing a char resident as a goat looks on. Over 700,000 people live on the chars, sandy islands that are always shifting in the dynamic Jamuna River, causing people to have to move every 10 years on average. Credit: Mike Steckler

As part of the UNOLS-MATE Marine Technical Internship Program, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth welcomed Ethan Wadsworth as an intern for MGL 2501 cruise port planning, assisting the technical team during their time in port in preparation for transiting to Cape Verde. Langseth science officer Cody Bahlau (Cody B.) talked with Ethan about the path that led him to the Langseth. Here, we share an excerpt from their conversation. Q: What inspired your interest in ocean science and marine technology? A: I’ve always had a deep passion for water and the ocean, which led me to pursue a degree in oceanography at Cal Poly Humboldt. From a young age, I was fascinated by the mysteries of the ocean and its ecosystems, and that interest only grew stronger over time. While at Humboldt, I had the incredible opportunity to participate in cruises aboard the R/V Coral Sea. These experiences not only deepened my love for the ocean but also sparked my growing interest in marine technology. Being out on the water and seeing the innovative tools and equipment used to explore and study the ocean firsthand was truly eye-opening. Q: What are you most excited to experience or learn? A: I’m really excited to experience life aboard a fully operational research vessel. The Langseth is by far the largest ship I’ve ever been on, and living aboard during a transit will certainly be a one-of-a-kind experience. A vessel of this size requires a large team to keep everything running smoothly, with people working around the clock. It will be fascinating to witness and be a part of that constant activity and collaboration. I'm looking forward to seeing how the crew operates, how the ship is maintained, and how everyone manages their responsibilities to keep things moving efficiently at all hours of the day and night. It’s sure to be a unique and valuable experience! ?? Learn more about Lamont's R/V Marcus G. Langseth: https://lnkd.in/eKgTUp8R

Land ho! R/V Marcus G. Langseth arrives in port after 14 days at sea, reported science officer Cody Bahlau (Cody B.)... After an incredible 14-day journey across the Atlantic, Expedition MGL 2501 has come to an end! We set sail from Savannah, Georgia, navigated thousands of nautical miles, and now find ourselves in the vibrant port of Mindelo, Cape Verde. Throughout the expedition, our team worked tirelessly, collecting valuable oceanographic data and mapping the seafloor, another step forward in our mission to explore the unknown depths of our planet. Guided by the Light In the images, you will see the Dom Luis Lighthouse, which was built in 1882. Lighthouses have been used for centuries to aid navigation, warning mariners of dangerous coastlines, reefs, and obstacles in an era before GPS. Today, while satellite navigation and radar have largely replaced their role, over 18,000 lighthouses worldwide continue to serve as critical backup systems, especially in areas with harsh weather, strong currents, and limited visibility. A Beacon for Science Just as lighthouses illuminate the way for sailors, science illuminates the unknown. Whether mapping the deep sea, studying climate change, or uncovering marine ecosystems, every scientific discovery is a light leading us forward. As we step back onto land, we carry with us not just data, but the spirit of discovery. Every voyage is a step toward a brighter, better-understood ocean. ?? Learn more about Lamont's R/V Marcus G. Langseth: https://lnkd.in/eKgTUp8R

In this #LamontVoices moment, Lamont geologist Nicholas Christie-Blick is joined by planetary systems scientist Linda Sohl, one of his former graduate students now at Columbia Climate School's Center for Climate Systems Research and NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, to talk about the importance of good mentorship. ? Learn more about Lamont's history, people, culture, and discoveries:? https://lnkd.in/eBUi-CFf ? As part of our 75th anniversary celebration, Lamont Voices captures reflections from scientists, students, and alums who have helped shaped Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

R/V Marcus G. Langseth science officer Cody Bahlau (Cody B.) reported from the Atlantic Ocean... Aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, the team is hard at work collecting high-resolution seafloor data as part of Expedition MGL 2501. So far, the Langseth has mapped approximately 55,000 square kilometers of the ocean floor—an area larger than the state of West Virginia! Every survey line brings us one step closer to a fully mapped ocean as part of the Seabed 2030 initiative, a global effort to map 100% of the world’s ocean floor by 2030. Next Up: Crossing the Mid-Atlantic Ridge! Soon, the vessel will transit over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, stretching over 10,000 miles down the center of the Atlantic Ocean. This massive underwater feature is a divergent plate boundary, where the North American, South American, Eurasian, and African Plates slowly move apart, creating new oceanic crust. Why Does Mapping the Ocean Matter? More than 75% of the ocean remains unmapped at high resolution, yet the seafloor plays a crucial role in: ?? Understanding plate tectonics & earthquakes ?? Supporting marine conservation & ecosystem studies ?? Improving safe navigation & deep-sea exploration ?? In the Main Lab, the team is analyzing data in real time, revealing the hidden topography of the ocean floor—mountains, valleys, and fault lines beneath the waves. Credit: Cody Bahlau ?? Learn more about Lamont's R/V Marcus G. Langseth: https://lnkd.in/eKgTUp8R

In this #LamontVoices moment, graduate student Caitlin Dieck Locke talks about the opportunities Lamont gives to students and young scientists. Learn more about Lamont's history, people, culture, and discoveries: https://lnkd.in/eBUi-CFf As part of our 75th anniversary celebration, Lamont Voices captures reflections from scientists, students, and alums who have helped shaped Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

As the R/V Marcus G. Langseth continued its 3,200-nautical-mile transit across the Atlantic Ocean for Expedition MGL 2501, science officer Cody Bahlau (Cody B.) reported that the crew experienced rough weather as strong winds and high seas rolled across their path. Specifically, the Langseth encountered Beaufort 6-7 conditions, with strong winds, 10- to 15-foot waves, and a rough ride for the crew. While the ship is designed for these conditions, the high seas served as a strong reminder of the ocean’s power. How Do We Measure Ocean Conditions? The Beaufort Scale is one way mariners classify wind and sea states. This system was developed in 1805 by Admiral Francis Beaufort of the British Royal Navy. The scale, ranging from 0 (calm seas) to 12 (hurricane-force winds), helps sailors and scientists assess ocean conditions based on wind speed, wave height, and sea appearance. Examples of the Beaufort Scale: - Beaufort 0-1 (Calm-Light Air): Mirror-like sea, barely any ripples. - Beaufort 4-5 (Moderate-Fresh Breeze): Waves build to 6-10 feet, whitecaps appear. - Beaufort 8-9 (Gale-Strong Gale): Winds over 40 knots, waves reach 18-25 feet. - Beaufort 12 (Hurricane): Winds exceed 64 knots, waves tower over 45 feet! With calmer weather on the horizon, the crew continued their transit to Cape Verde, pushing forward in the name of science! ?? Learn more about Lamont's R/V Marcus G. Langseth: https://lnkd.in/eKgTUp8R ?? William Eltringham

"As we put more data together, we get this beautiful picture of the seafloor, it's really like bringing it into focus," says Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory marine geophysicist Vicki Ferrini, PhD, head of head of Seabed 2030's Atlantic and Indian Oceans Center. "You start to see the details and the patterns, you start to understand the (ocean) processes in a different way," adds Ferrini. Via AFP.

"There have been a lot of measurements and intensive studies on snow in the Western United States, but East Coast snow is not the same and we don’t have the on-the-ground infrastructure that exists out there. X-Snow will help gather more data by building the culture and infrastructure to collect it," says Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory polar scientist Marco Tedesco, who co-leads the X-Snow (xsnow.us) citizen science project with director of educational field programs Margie Turrin and education & outreach coordinator Marisa Annunziato. Via NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Earthdata.