Antarctica LIVE underwater audio - McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory

LIVE AUDIO – Underwater in Antarctica. See the live chat for commentary.

What does it sound like under the thick sea ice in Antarctica's frozen ocean?
Experience this unique soundscape in real time by listening to our LIVE audio feed - broadcast from the MOO's hydrophone 70-ft (21m) below the sea ice of Antarctica!

The underwater microphone is part of the McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory (the MOO) in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica - the southernmost accessible marine environment on our planet (78°S latitude).

Live audio events typically last 1 hour, and may occur up to several times per week in the austral winter of 2019 (April through September).

Live-streaming schedules posted to twitter @MOOAntarctica and here:

https://moo-antarctica.net/live-schedule

The most noticeable sounds this time of year are the eerie, otherworldly whistles, chirps and buzzes of Weddell seals, the cracks and pops from the sea ice flexing and contracting, and a low rumble caused by wind blowing over the ocean's icy crust.

Due to the solid cover of shore-fast ice, penguins, whales and other seal species are usually absent at this time of year.

** For more info, please visit www.moo-antarctica.net **

Weddell seal vocalizations are coming from small group of animals (~30) whose haul-outs and access holes are within about a half-mile (1km) of the MOO. Seals occasionally come within a few feet of the hydrophone.

Due to internet limitations in Antarctica, our live streams are limited to 1-hour and, at this time, we are unable to make our live video feed available on the internet.

The McMurdo Oceanographic Observatory is a project managed by Paul A. Cziko at the University of Oregon USA, supported by the US Antarctic Program and funded by the US National Science Foundation.