For the past three years, scientists at NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Science have been uncovering the secrets behind the extraordinary resilience of corals in PortMiami. Now, you can dive into their groundbreaking research like never before with a new virtual reality experience, Unlocking the Secrets of Resilient Corals—filmed by communications intern, Alexandra Ceurvorst, as a component of her Master of Professional Science degree from the University of Miami.
This immersive 360° film brings viewers into the field and laboratory to explore ongoing research on urban coral populations in environments like PortMiami, where corals demonstrate unexpected resilience—persisting and even flourishing under extreme and variable conditions such as thermal stress, salinity fluctuations, elevated turbidity, and anthropogenic impacts.
The video can be viewed in three unique formats. South Florida locals can experience it in stunning detail at the Frost Science Museum, either on the immersive 67-foot planetarium dome or the intimate 15-foot Dive Theater screen. If you have a virtual reality headset, the film can be downloaded through YouTube and viewed as a virtual reality experience, be it in the classroom or your living room. Alternatively, mobile and desktop users can view the 360° film directly on YouTube—just click and drag to explore every angle of the scene.
Click HERE to view the YouTube version of Unlocking the Secrets of Resilient Corals.