Scene on the Sound: Research Vessel Marcus G. Langseth

Research Vessel Marcus G. Langseth
Photo by Jan Hansen

From Columbia University

Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory's Office of Marine Operations (OMO) currently operates the research vessel Marcus G. Langseth that serves as the national seismic research facility for the United States academic research community.

The R/V Marcus G. Langseth 's unique seismic capability allows it to provide both 2D and 3D maps of the earth's structure miles below the seafloor. Utilizing the vessel's other capabilities, expeditions have collected sediment cores for understanding climate variations throughout the Earth’s history, sampled seawater for determining physical and chemical properties of the oceans, and deployed remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for studying submarine volcanoes.

Scientists and researchers from all over the world are encouraged to participate in research programs aboard the Langseth.

The R/V Langseth is a part of University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS), an organization of 62 academic institutions and National Laboratories involved in oceanographic research and joined for the purpose of coordinating oceanographic ships' schedules and research facilities.

The R/V Langseth is distinct among ships in the academic fleet in that it is a designated National Facility. This status highlights the Langseth’s key role in serving a broad community by providing a unique capability to image beneath the oceans. Unlike other ships in the fleet, the Langseth science operations are reviewed by the Marcus Langseth Science Oversight Committee (MLSOC), which consists of scientists from the community and serves as a liaison between the science community, the facility operator, and the NSF.