Bioluminescence in the deep sea: How and why do animals create their own light?
A dive into the deep sea reveals twinkling lights in the midst of darkness. This light doesn’t come from the sun—sunlight can’t penetrate to these depths—it comes from the animals that live here. Scientists call this living light show bioluminescence—when living organisms create their own light using a chemical reaction.
MBARI Senior Scientist Steve Haddock and his team are working to decipher the secret language of light in the deep sea. His team’s work has revealed that bioluminescence is actually quite common in the deep. From zooplankton to jellies, fishes, and squid, deep-sea animals have adapted to use light in a variety of ways. MBARI’s work is helping biologists understand how and why these remarkable animals produce their own light.
We’ve collaborated with our education and conservation partner Monterey Bay Aquarium on the development of their newest exhibition, “Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean,” opening on April 9, 2022. The groundbreaking exhibition will offer a rare look at the animals that thrive in the least explored area of the planet and will feature an immersive experience recreating the world of deep-sea bioluminescence.
Learn more about the exhibition:
Learn more about MBARI’s research on bioluminescence:
Monterey Bay Aquarium video production team: Christy Chamberlain, Presley Adamson
Editor: Lou Laprocido
MBARI video production team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Madison Pobis
Follow MBARI on social media:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Instagram:
Tumblr:
LinkedIn:
And now, TikTok: @mbari_news
Follow the Monterey Bay Aquarium on social media:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Tumblr:
Twitch:
TikTok now too: @montereyaq
12 views
402
122
4 years ago 00:01:00 84
Dolphins Swimming in Bioluminescence
13 years ago 00:00:55 12
Bioluminescence in Aequorea victoria
4 years ago 00:00:59 205
Bioluminescence waves in California I Never seen anything like it
9 years ago 00:01:19 1
Blue glow ocean (bioluminescence) in Cairns
7 months ago 00:00:50 1
Walking through Bioluminescence in Newport Beach 2021
8 years ago 00:01:00 94
Bioluminescence a Dazzling Blue in Tasmanian Water
2 years ago 00:01:23 232
Dolphins swim in bioluminescent waves in Newport Beach
3 years ago 00:02:31 5
Incredible Bioluminescence in Australia
7 years ago 00:01:00 2
Bioluminescence: Brilliant glowing water in Tasmania.
6 years ago 00:03:07 15
Bioluminescence
2 years ago 00:01:34 112
Fireflies of the Night: A Dance of Bioluminescence
2 years ago 00:01:34 151
fireflies of the night: a dance of bioluminescence
5 years ago 00:02:02 7
Bioluminescent Plankton in the Maldives
4 years ago 00:01:01 1
Surfer Glides Through Stunning Bioluminescence Water in San Diego
4 years ago 00:01:18 2
Operation Deep Scope 2005: Eye-in-the-Sea Bioluminescence