Through Time | Smithsonian Ocean

Waves cresting in the ocean.

A Mesozoic Ocean scene

The Ocean Throughout Geologic Time

The ocean has gone through some dramatic transformations over time. This overview dives into our globe's ocean past.

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Featured Content

Photograph of the model of a Giant Megatooth Shark, taken from the front..

Slideshow

Shark Ancestors

A rendering of an underwater marine scene from the Cambrian Period, featuring an arthropod, annelids, and other animals.

Slideshow

A Collection of Cambrian Fossils

Blue whale skull being installed at National Museum of Natural History.

Article

When Did Today’s Whales Get So Big?

A hippopotamus-like creature swims underwater

Article

Flippers or Feet? An Extinct Mammal May Have Been Replaced By Today's Sea Cows

Although in reality an ichthyosaur and plesiosaur would have likely never battled, this widely shared lithograph by artist, geologist and paleontologist Henry De la Beche even inspired author Jules Verne to pen a similar scene in his book, Journey to the C

Article

Unearthing History: Mary Anning's Hunt for Prehistoric Ocean Giants

Through Time Articles

Two baby olive ridley sea turtles.

Article

Surveying Life On Sea Turtles

Offshore Peru, during the Eocene (~56-34 million years ago), showing two archaeocetes (ancient whales): Ocucajea picklingi and Supayacetus muizon.

Article

New Archaeocetes from Peru Are the Oldest Fossil Whales from South America

An illustration of multispecies communities of dugongs from India, Mexico and Florida

Article

The Discovery of Multispecies Communities of Seacows

Blue whale skull being installed at National Museum of Natural History.

Article

When Did Today’s Whales Get So Big?

Kelps are large, brown algae that grow along coasts around the world, especially in cooler regions.

Article

With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean

a deep-sea submersible

Video

Submersible Collects Deep-Sea Corals

Riftia tubeworm (Riftia pachyptila) colonies near hot spring.

Article

The Microbes That Keep Hydrothermal Vents Pumping

Article

Meet the Tiny Bacteria That Give Anglerfishes Their Spooky Glow

Nick Pyenson points to a skull and skeleton of a fossil whale.

Article

Excavating a "toothed" baleen whale from Vancouver Island

A close-up image of a fossil shark jaw with teeth.

Article

Shark Teeth Tell Great White Shark Evolution Story

This male dancing fiddler crab (Uca terpsichores) has built a sand “hood” at the entrance to his burrow, which he hopes will attract females to his humble abode—as if that big beautiful claw of his weren't enough!

Article

The Design of a Beautiful Weapon

an ancient seascape

Video

Life in the Ediacaran