Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory
Encyclopedia
The Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) is a regional undersea research facility under the auspices of the U. S. government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Undersea Research Program
and administered by the University of Hawaii
. Its headquarters are at University of Hawaii at Manoa
, in Honolulu. It is considered one of the more important of the independently run undersea research laboratories in the U.S. The laboratory conducts undersea research on volcanic risks in conjunction with the United States Geological Survey
, including seismic surveys, monitoring of volcanic activity, and using submersibles for undersea observation and surveying. HURL is also actively involved in monitoring coastal ecosystems, including coral reef
habitats and fisheries in Hawaii. HURL conducts maritime archaeology
research including visiting World War II
wreckages from the Japanese
Attack on Pearl Harbor
in 1941.
In 2011, marine scientists from HURL celebrated the 1,000th dive of Pisces V
(one of twin submersible
s). As of 1981 they spent nearly 9,000 hours underwater around the Pacific Ocean
.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
National Undersea Research Program
National Undersea Research Program
The National Underwater Research Program is a U.S. government program that operates six facilities for undersea research, including the world's only permanent undersea research facility, Aquarius. The program is operated under the auspices of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, a...
and administered by the University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii System, formally the University of Hawaii and popularly known as UH, is a public, co-educational college and university system that confers associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral degrees through three university campuses, seven community college campuses, an employment...
. Its headquarters are at University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Hawaii at Manoa
The University of Hawaii at Mānoa is a public, co-educational university and is the flagship campus of the greater University of Hawaii system...
, in Honolulu. It is considered one of the more important of the independently run undersea research laboratories in the U.S. The laboratory conducts undersea research on volcanic risks in conjunction with the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
, including seismic surveys, monitoring of volcanic activity, and using submersibles for undersea observation and surveying. HURL is also actively involved in monitoring coastal ecosystems, including coral reef
Coral reef
Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals found in marine waters that contain few nutrients. Most coral reefs are built from stony corals, which in turn consist of polyps that cluster in groups. The polyps...
habitats and fisheries in Hawaii. HURL conducts maritime archaeology
Maritime archaeology
Maritime archaeology is a discipline within archaeology as a whole that specifically studies human interaction with the sea, lakes and rivers through the study of associated physical remains, be they vessels, shore side facilities, port-related structures, cargoes, human remains and submerged...
research including visiting World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
wreckages from the Japanese
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
Attack on Pearl Harbor
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
in 1941.
In 2011, marine scientists from HURL celebrated the 1,000th dive of Pisces V
Pisces V
Pisces V is a deep-submergence vehicle of the Pisces class built in 1973.Pisces V is type of manned submersible ocean exploration device, powered by battery, and capable of operating to depths of 2000 m , a depth that is optimum for use in the sea waters around the Hawaiian Islands...
(one of twin submersible
Submersible
A submersible is a small vehicle designed to operate underwater. The term submersible is often used to differentiate from other underwater vehicles known as submarines, in that a submarine is a fully autonomous craft, capable of renewing its own power and breathing air, whereas a submersible is...
s). As of 1981 they spent nearly 9,000 hours underwater around the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
.