Our History
NOAA’s precursor, the Environmental Science Services Administration, made a decision to put a national laboratory and a ship base somewhere on the East Coast. In 1967, Miami was selected out of more than 120 sites and the initial process began. The ESSA broke ground in 1970 and construction was completed in 1972. AOML has since dedicated its resources building one of the most prolific research profiles on coastal and ocean science. In addition, we have hosted and been home to scientists who have contributed greatly to our field, including some who are still pushing the boundaries of our science today. See history at AOML unfold below with photos, notes from former members, leadership history, and more.
Our History
NOAA’s precursor, the Environmental Science Services Administration, made a decision to put a national laboratory and a ship base somewhere on the East Coast. In 1967, Miami was selected out of more than 120 sites and the initial process began. The ESSA broke ground in 1970 and construction was completed in 1972. AOML has since dedicated its resources building one of the most prolific research profiles on coastal and ocean science. In addition, we have hosted and been home to scientists who have contributed greatly to our field, including some who are still pushing the boundaries of our science today. See history at AOML unfold below with photos, notes from former members, leadership history, and more.
A Legacy of Leadership
Our Founder
Milestones at AOML
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2019
Bob Atlas retires from federal service. John Cortinas is appointed the Director of AOML. -
2013
The Ocean Chemistry Division is renamed the Ocean Chemistry & Ecosystems Division. -
2005
Robert Atlas becomes the AOML Director. -
2004
Peter Ortner becomes AOML’s Chief Scientist. Judith Gray is appointed Acting Director of AOML. -
2003
Kristina Katsaros retires from federal service. Peter Ortner is appointed the Acting Director of AOML.
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2002
The Remote Sensing Division is absorbed into the Ocean Chemistry Division as the Acoustics Research Group.
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2000
The Ocean Acoustics Division expands to include satellite remote sensing and is renamed the Remote Sensing Division. -
1998
AOML celebrates its 25th anniversary of operating out of its Virginia Key location. -
1997
Hugo Bezdek retires from federal service. Kristina Katsaros becomes the AOML Director.
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1985
AOML’s Sea-Air Interaction Division is eliminated. -
1982
AOML’s Marine Geology and Geophysics Division is eliminated.
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1981
All “Laboratories” within AOML are renamed “Divisions.” (The plural identification in AOML’s street sign still reflects this earlier designation.) An Ocean Acoustics Division is created within AOML. -
1980
Hugo Bezdek becomes the AOML Director.
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1979
The National Hurricane Research Laboratory is once again transferred into AOML as the Hurricane Research Laboratory -
1978
Harris Stewart retires from federal service, the end of an era. Donald Hansen is appointed the Acting Director of AOML.
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1976
The Ocean Remote Sensing Laboratory is eliminated and an Ocean Chemistry Laboratory is created at AOML. -
1973
AOML is relocated to a newly completed laboratory facility on Virginia Key. An Ocean Remote Sensing Laboratory with emphasis on satellite oceanography is created within AOML.
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1972
The National Hurricane Research Laboratory is transferred out from association with AOML, but the “M” is retained in the name of AOML. -
1971
The Experimental Meteorology Laboratory is transferred out of AOML.
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1968
Two meteorological groups, the National Hurricane Research Laboratory and the Experimental Meteorology Laboratory, are reorganized and incorporated into the Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratories, necessitating the name change to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (AOML). -
1967
The Silver Spring, Maryland laboratories of the Institute of Oceanography relocate to Miami, Florida with Harris Stewart. The “Institute” level of organization is abolished and the names of the Miami and Seattle-based groups are changed to the Atlantic Oceanographic Laboratories (AOL) and the Pacific Oceanographic Laboratories (POL).
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1966
An Institute of Oceanography is created (Dr. Harris Stewart, Director) as one of four environmental research institutes of ESSA. It consists of five principal laboratories: Marine Geology and Geophysics; Physical Oceanography; Sea-Air Interaction (all in the Washington, D.C. area); the Joint Oceanographic Research Group in Seattle, Washington; and the Land and Sea Interaction Laboratory in Norfolk, Virginia. These groups consist of pre-existing research activities of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Weather Bureau. The Washington, D.C. laboratories of the Institute of Oceanography are soon relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland. -
1965
The Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA, forerunner of NOAA) is created, consolidating the activities of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and the Weather Bureau.