National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
United States Department of Commerce

30 Year History of the Program

The U.S. government is closed. This site will not be updated; however, NOAA websites and social media channels necessary to protect lives and property will be maintained. To learn more, visit commerce.gov.

For the latest forecasts and critical weather information, visit weather.gov.

Scientist at sea in 1991
Fri, 04/03/2015
News Article URL: 
Oceanography

A 30-year history of the NOAA Vents program was published in Oceanography.  In 1983, a small team of NOAA PMEL scientists, later joined by colleagues at Oregon State University (CIMRS) and the University of Washington (JISAO), exploited new seafloor and water column mapping technologies to understand the impact of hydrothermal systems on ocean chemistry and seafloor ecosystems.

In 2013, the program was restructured into two new programs continuing the Vents legacy while focusing directly on NOAA strategic goals in ocean processes and ecosystems.