Columbia’s Marcus G. Langseth Maps the World’s Oceans

Columbia University’s Research Vessel (R/V) Marcus G. Langseth in the East River with the Brooklyn Bridge, World Trade Center, Manhattan Municipal Building, and the downtown New York City skyline in the background on a partly cloudy day.

June 12, 2026

As we celebrate World Oceans Day this week, we feature Columbia’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Research Vessel (R/V) Marcus G. Langseth and our scientists, who have spent decades cataloging and reimagining the ocean’s critical role in our lives. They have been mapping the ocean floor, collecting seismic data aboard the R/V Marcus G. Langseth, studying the ocean carbon sink, and documenting changes in El Niño, among other deep questions.

For more on ocean science and educational initiatives, check out Columbia Climate School's State of the Planet article. 

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