On this day in history,...

...in 1925, the German research vessel Meteor departed from the port of Wilhelmshaven, Germany, marking the beginning of one of the most significant oceanographic expeditions in history. The Meteor Expedition, which lasted until June 2, 1927, was the first large-scale scientific investigation of the South and Central Atlantic Ocean.

Led initially by Professor Alfred Merz, director of the Institute of Oceanography in Berlin, the expedition aimed to map and study the physical and chemical properties of the Atlantic. After Merz’s sudden passing in 1925, the scientific leadership was assumed by Commander Fritz Spiess.

Achievements of the Meteor Expedition:

•    Innovative Use of Echo Sounding Technology: the expedition was one of the first to employ acoustic echo-sounding methods, conducting over 14,000 depth measurements, which allowed for unprecedented mapping of the Atlantic Ocean floor.
•  Comprehensive Oceanic Sectioning: the Meteor followed 14 parallel profiles between Africa and South America, taking measurements of temperature, salinity, and water density from the surface to the deep ocean. This work laid the foundation for understanding large-scale ocean circulation.
•  Meteorological and Biological Research: the expedition collected atmospheric data and biological samples, contributing to a broader understanding of marine ecosystems and climate variability in the Atlantic.

The Meteor returned to Germany on June 2, 1927, with data that would inform oceanographic science for decades. This expedition remains a landmark in the development of physical oceanography, demonstrating the crucial role of large-scale, coordinated research efforts.

Sources

•    Lainakai: lainakai.com/canarias-en-la-ruta-de-grandes-expediciones-cientificas
• Wikipedia (Meteor Expedition): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meteor_Expedition
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Archives: https://divediscover.whoi.edu/history-of-oceanography/