Co-collaborator and chief backer of this expedition, the American Museum has a beautifully illustrated, highly interactive Web site that puts this mission into context for the general reader.

Co-collaborator of this expedition with the American Museum. The university's REVEL Web site focuses on the experiences had during both the 1997 and 1998 cruises by the science teachers REVEL sponsors.

This site features information on the scientific research and educational projects being conducted at Woods Hole. Check out the animation and video gallery to see the submersible Alvin in motion.

Learn about the technology behind the underwater remotely operated vehicle ROPOS, which will be used on this expedition.

Read about how scientists are investigating active volcanic eruptions on the seafloor and developing ways to map the regions in which these eruptions occur.

The scientists working with the Ridge program at Oregon State University seek to understand the geophysical, geochemical, and geobiological causes and consequences of the energy transfer within the global rift system through time. Their site includes a bibliography and descriptions of their research projects.

Web site of IFREMER, the French oceanographic institution. The organization focuses on all aspects of oceanography, from geology to biology, as well as maintenance and design of research vessels like the submersible Nautile. The introductory page offers links to other oceanographic servers.

The Shirshov Institute of Oceanology's mission is to investigate the theoretical problems of oceanology. The site contains an extensive image database, including photographs of hydrothermal fields, as well as detailed information on the submersibles MIR-1 and MIR-2.

Part of the University of California at San Diego, Scripps offers a graduate program leading to doctorates in oceanography. Some of their research focuses on global warming and long-term climate change. The site includes information about careers in oceanography as well as access to the photo archives and the SIO library.

Harbor Branch is a marine research laboratory in Florida focusing on the oceans, local coastlines, and estuaries. Check out the search tool to find information on sea life as well as research vessels like the Johnson Sea-Link.

An article about the many types of organisms that live around hydrothermal vents and how they thrive in a seemingly inhospitable environment.

A teacher's guide to activities that teach children the scientific concepts behind hydrothermal vents.

Homepage of Professor Chuck Fisher, a scientist at Penn State University who is studying the biology and ecology of hydrothermal vents. Follow the web tour of ongoing research at the cold seeps in the Gulf of Mexico.

Striking, "I-can't-believe-it's-real" drawings of deep-sea creatures (see Deep-Sea Bestiary) illustrate this thoroughly researched look at life in the Atlantic abyss.

A highly readable narrative of the latest in deep-sea research, including a chapter on John Delaney, by the award-winning New York Times reporter.

The final scientific word on tubeworms and other vent fauna.

A lyrical and deeply personal account by an associate professor of oceanography at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks who was the first woman to pilot the submersible Alvin.

Stunning photographs by one of the world's premiere marine photographers (see Deep-Sea Bestiary).

A somewhat dated but lavishly illustrated coffee-table book by the doyenne of oceanographic research.

A well-illustrated, textbook-style examination of the mid-ocean ridges, designed for students, scientists, and interested laypeople.