What makes Planet Earth special and unique is the ocean. Many have recommended that we call it Planet Ocean, since over 70% of the planet’s surface is covered by water. More surprisingly, when one looks at the volume of air, land and water that can support life on earth, the oceans represent 99% of the living volume of the planet! Yet very few of us have the opportunity to directly explore the blue planet ourselves. If we get to experience the oceans at all it’s a day at the beach, a boat ride, a fishing trip or a vacation cruise. Yet from the days of Alexander the Great, humans have long yearned to explore and experience the wonder beneath the blue horizon.

This Web site allows you to virtually experience what lies beneath the waters of Long Island Sound (LIS), a coastal estuary that encompass one of the most dynamic spots on earth, where the sea meets the land. Through the use of a range of technologies that have been used to study LIS ranging from broad scale mapping sonar to close-up video cameras this site provides a glimpse of varied topography and fascinating diversity of the Sound.

The Discover Habitats map links to the major habitat types in Long Island Sound and provides beautiful images and representative video clips from these habitats found in the Sound. The Explore Underwater tab links to several ways to virtually experience the diversity of life and landscapes of the Sound. Dive In to specific points on a map that represent areas that the National Undersea Research Center at the University of Connecticut has dived using a variety of underwater technologies. Click the Fly In to take a subsea flight over detailed multibeam sonar maps linked to underwater video from specific sites within these larger landscape features.

For teachers and students the site provides links to topics for discussion within the classroom, and links to the Connecticut Science Education Frameworks with suggested questions and video clips that can reinforce learning of science concepts.