On this day in history,...
...in 2016, the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water-column Observatory (EMSO) was officially established as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) by the European Commission. EMSO is a unique, large-scale European distributed Research Infrastructure for ocean observation, enabling real-time interactive long-term monitoring of ocean processes.
EMSO's mission is to explore, monitor, and better understand the complex phenomena occurring within and below Europe's oceans. By integrating diverse scientific partners, institutes, and research centers across European seas—from the Arctic through the Atlantic and Mediterranean to the Black Sea—EMSO fosters international collaboration in marine science and technology.
A cornerstone of EMSO's philosophy is its commitment to open access data. The organization encourages a culture of openness and sharing of research data within public research communities and member countries. This approach ensures that high-quality data, metadata, and digital tools are freely available to scientists, industries, institutions, and policymakers, promoting innovation and informed decision-making.
Through its network of observatories equipped with advanced sensor arrays, EMSO continuously measures various biogeochemical and physical parameters. This comprehensive data collection is vital for addressing global challenges such as climate trends, marine ecosystem preservation, and the mitigation of marine geohazards.
The establishment of EMSO ERIC represents a significant milestone in Europe's dedication to advancing oceanographic research and underscores the importance of international cooperation in understanding and preserving our oceans.
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