Skip to main content

Main Menu

Home
Weather
Climate
Ocean & Coasts
Fisheries
Satellites
Research
Marine & Aviation
Charting
Sanctuaries
Education
News and features
Tools & resources
About our agency

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know we're official

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites..

Find your local weather

Change location:

Enter City, State or ZIP code

News
Tools
About

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. Department of Commerce

Enter Search Terms

Topic: Discoveries

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Join us for a deep-sea journey to the Ridge

July 14, 2022

Focus areas:

Topics:

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Glass sponge

Rare discovery: Massive glass sponges found off of the California coast

May 6, 2022

Focus areas:

Topics:

Glass sponge

The so-called "E.T. sponge" (Advhena magnifica) prior to being collected in 2016 at a depth of -6,560 feet. Scientists call this class of sponges “glass sponges'' because their skeletons are made of silica (glass).

‘E.T. sponge’ just listed among top-10 new marine species

March 19, 2021

Focus areas:

Topics:

ocean exploration

The so-called "E.T. sponge" (Advhena magnifica) prior to being collected in 2016 at a depth of -6,560 feet. Scientists call this class of sponges “glass sponges'' because their skeletons are made of silica (glass).

A 2021 article in Marine Mammal Science indicates that the whale previously known as the Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whale is actually a new whale species living in the Gulf of Mexico. The new species is now called the Rice's whale.

New species of baleen whale discovered in the Gulf of Mexico

February 3, 2021

Focus areas:

Topics:

A 2021 article in Marine Mammal Science indicates that the whale previously known as the Bryde’s (pronounced “broodus”) whale is actually a new whale species living in the Gulf of Mexico. The new species is now called the Rice's whale.

NOAA Fisheries scientists recently discovered and described a new species of comb jelly, or ctenophore. It was first seen during a 2015 dive with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research team. (Photo captured April 10, 2015. Location: Arecibo Amphitheater, Puerto Rico Trench.)

NOAA scientists virtually discover new species of comb jelly near Puerto Rico

November 23, 2020

Focus areas:

Topics:

NOAA Fisheries scientists recently discovered and described a new species of comb jelly, or ctenophore. It was first seen during a 2015 dive with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research team. (Photo captured April 10, 2015. Location: Arecibo Amphitheater, Puerto Rico Trench.)

A close-up of a mat of the algae species Chondria tumulosa, taken in the lab. The new species was discovered in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2020.

Mystery algae discovered in Pacific is identified

July 15, 2020

Focus areas:

Topics:

A close-up of a mat of the algae species Chondria tumulosa, taken in the lab. The new species was discovered in Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in 2020.

In 2016, a team exploring via NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer encountered this sponge, reminiscent of the space alien from the movie, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." The team collected a sample of the sponge that scientists from NOAA Fisheries and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History later analyzed and determined to be a new genus and species, which they have named Advhena magnifica, Latin for “magnificent alien.”

'Magnificent' new sponge from the deep gets a name

July 9, 2020

Focus areas:

Topics:

ocean exploration

Okeanos Explorer

In 2016, a team exploring via NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer encountered this sponge, reminiscent of the space alien from the movie, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial." The team collected a sample of the sponge that scientists from NOAA Fisheries and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History later analyzed and determined to be a new genus and species, which they have named Advhena magnifica, Latin for “magnificent alien.”

This microscope image of a newly discovered species of diatom -- or micro-algae -- is named for NOAA scientist Dr. Joan Browder.

New species of algae named after NOAA scientist

March 26, 2020

Focus areas:

Topics:

This microscope image of a newly discovered species of diatom -- or micro-algae -- is named for NOAA scientist Dr. Joan Browder.

International scientists encountered unique pod of orcas similar to the unidentified animals seen in this 2011 photograph.

NOAA and partners capture footage of what might be new species of killer whale

March 7, 2019

Focus areas:

Topics:

International scientists encountered unique pod of orcas similar to the unidentified animals seen in this 2011 photograph.

On July 17, a NOAA-funded team of Project Recover scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and the University of Delaware discovered the missing 75- foot stern section of the destroyer USS Abner Read in 290 feet of water off of Kiska, Alaska. The stern sank Aug 18, 1943, at the height of World War II after being blown off by a Japanese mine. Pictured, research vessel Norseman II in transit through the Aleutian Islands, a chain of volcanic islands that

Stern of World War II U.S. destroyer discovered off remote Alaskan island by NOAA-supported scientists

August 15, 2018

Focus areas:

Topics:

ocean exploration

On July 17, a NOAA-funded team of Project Recover scientists from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and the University of Delaware discovered the missing 75- foot stern section of the destroyer USS Abner Read in 290 feet of water off of Kiska, Alaska. The stern sank Aug 18, 1943, at the height of World War II after being blown off by a Japanese mine. Pictured, research vessel Norseman II in transit through the Aleutian Islands, a chain of volcanic islands that

Pagination

Currently on page 1 1
Next page

Subscribe to discoveries

Science. Service. Stewardship.

News
Tools
About

Protecting Your Privacy
FOIA
Information Quality
Accessibility
Guidance
Budget & Performance
Disclaimer
EEO
No-Fear Act
USA.gov
Ready.gov
Employee Check-In
Staff Directory
Contact Us
Need Help?
COVID-19 hub for NOAA personnel offsite link

Stay connected to NOAA

NOAA on Twitter NOAA on Facebook NOAA on Instagram NOAA on YouTube

How are we doing?

Feedback opens in new window