LamontDoherty

Lamont‑Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) is a research institute of Columbia University located on the East River campus in New York City. Established in 1938 by philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr. after the destruction of the original Lamont Observatory, the facility was built on the former site of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research. It was named in honor of civil engineer Hamilton A. Lamont, a former Columbia president, and the Rockefeller family’s philanthropic legacy.

LDEO conducts multidisciplinary research in the geosciences, focusing on Earth system science, sea‑surface variables, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and climate change. Its research programs are structured around several thematic centers: the Ocean Topography and Data Center, the Global Ocean Observing System, the Integrated Ocean and Atmosphere Modeling System, and the Earth System Modeling Laboratory. Advanced instrumentation, including autonomous gliders, moored buoys, and a deep‑sea research vessel, supports field studies in the Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, and Indian Oceans.

The observatory collaborates closely with national and international agencies, such as NOAA, NASA, and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Partnerships with universities worldwide, joint research initiatives, and data‑sharing agreements enable global access to oceanographic and atmospheric data. LDEO also hosts the Lamont‑Doherty Science & Technology Center, which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary research and education, offering graduate programs, student internships, and public outreach through exhibits and lectures.

Key scientists affiliated with LDEO have made significant contributions to understanding ocean circulation, marine biogeochemistry, and climate variability. Notably, the late Dr. James Anderson, a pioneer in physical oceanography, worked at the observatory for over three decades. The institute’s contributions are recognized by awards such as the President’s Award for Scientific Excellence and continued funding from the National Science Foundation. LDEO remains a leading institution for advancing knowledge of Earth’s dynamic systems.