The observatory was one of the centers of research that led to the development of the theory ofplate tectonics as well as many other notable scientific developments.
The LDEO is a substantial source of data for the US government in relation toclimate change. Faculty at the LDEO have been noted for giving climate change testimony toCongress in relation to melting ice sheets.[4]NOAA has also noted the LDEO'sGlobal Ocean Surface Water Partial Pressure of CO2 Database as being an instrumental source ofpartial pressurecarbon dioxide data (pCO2), which can, in turn, detail the amount of carbon dioxide dissolved in the earth's oceans. Many versions of the LDEO database have been published over the years, dating back to 2006.[5]
The tree-ring lab at the LDEO studies the effects on climate and climate change on trees. In an interview, Nicole Davi from the LDEO noted findings like the formation of tree-rings during extended dry seasons, as well as work being done to carbon-date trees to verify tree ring data.[6]
The core repository at the LDEO stores various drilled sediment samples from the earth's oceans. The samples have been used to detail climate changes betweenglaciation periods, in context of dissolved elements and gases, like calcium (from shells) and carbon dioxide.[7]
A major source of past earthquake data comes from the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory/National Center for Earthquake Engineering Research (NCEER)Earthquake Strong Motion Database.[8]
In 2012,Voice of America documented the work done by LDEO researcherRobin Bell, and others, in mapping the land underneath theAntarcticaice sheet. Several notable findings included the discovery of hidden rivers, hidden mountain ranges, and significant geothermal energy below the ice.[9]
RVMarcus Langseth is aresearch vessel operated by the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) ofColumbia University as a part of the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) fleet.[25][26] TheMarcus G. Langseth was dedicated on December 4, 2007, came into service in early 2008, replacing theRV Maurice Ewing.[27]
^Tharp, Marie. "Connect the dots: mapping the sea floor and discovering the Mid-Ocean Ridge".Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia Twelve Perspectives on the First Fifty Years.
^"New Seismic Vessel Will Look Deep Under Oceans".Science Daily. 2007-12-04.Archived from the original on 2014-07-13. Retrieved2011-11-02.The academic community's most advanced seismic-research vessel was dedicated here today, opening potential new windows on natural hazards, earth's evolution, and other vital questions. The R/VMarcus G. Langseth, owned by the U.S. National Science Foundation, will generate CAT-scan-like 3D images of magma chambers, faults and other structures miles below the world's seabeds. To be used by dozens of cooperating institutions, it will be operated for NSF by Columbia University's Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory.
