Behind the Scenes of a Unique Ocean Research Simulator


As our climate continues to change, researchers need to understand the complicated chemical, biological, and physical processes that occur at the boundary between the ocean and the atmosphere.

The Scripps Institution of Oceanography has a unique tool that allows scientists to simulate varying ocean environments by controlling winds, waves, water chemistry, temperature, light and more.

With a wave generator, wind blowers, light tubes, and heating and cooling systems… plus Pacific Ocean sea water supplied from nearby Scripps Pier, the Scripps Ocean Atmosphere Research Simulator (SOARS) can emulate ocean surface conditions ranging from the tropics to the poles, making it uniquely capable of simulating Earth’s rapidly changing ocean-atmosphere system all in a 36-meter-long wave tank with a wind tunnel.

Oceanographer Dale Stokes provides an insider’s look at this one-of-a-kind ocean research laboratory. Learn how SOARS allows scientists to understand how human activities are changing the chemistry of the ocean and atmosphere, and how this could impact global climate.

Watch SOARS: An Insider’s Look at Scripps Ocean Atmosphere Research Simulator.