Imagine microscopic organisms shaping global climate patterns. That’s just a glimpse into the work at the Institut für Meereskunde. Right here at Bundesstrasse 55 in Hamburg, scientific exploration dives deep. It tackles some of our planet’s most pressing questions.
The Institut für Meereskunde, or IfM, wasn’t always here. Its story began in 1956. Walter Hansen became its first professor and director. Back then, the focus was on creating ocean circulation models. These models helped understand regional and global ocean behaviors.
Over the years, climate research gained momentum in Hamburg. The establishment of the Sonderforschungsbereich SFB-94 from 1970 to 1985 played a role. The Max-Planck Institute for Meteorology followed in 1982. This boosted the IfM’s development.
Experimental oceanography took a leap forward in 1982. The research vessel FS Valdivia was commissioned. The Coordination center Meteor also started. It later became the German Research Fleet Coordination Centre. This coincided with the arrival of FS Meteor and later FS Sonne.
Throughout the 1980s, the Institut für Meereskunde expanded. New working groups emerged. These included Remote Sensing, Theoretical Oceanography, and Experimental Oceanography. Regional Oceanography and Ecosystem modelling also became key areas. New professorships supported this growth.
In 2004, the IfM found its current home. It moved to Bundesstrasse 53. This was alongside the Max-Planck Institute for Meteorology. Previously, it was spread across Harvestehude and Eimsbüttel. These are two other Hamburg districts.
The Center for Marine and Atmospheric Sciences ZMAW was founded in 2003. It linked with the DKRZ and the GKSS research facility. In 2011, ZMAW evolved into the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability CEN. This center also manages the CliSAP excellence cluster. During this period, the IfM welcomed two new professors. Their work focused on climate modelling and sea ice.
Even before the IfM existed, oceanography had a place at Universität Hamburg. The first lecture on physical oceanography occurred in 1919. Oceanography became an official subject ten years later. With Walter Hansen’s appointment, the diploma course in Oceanography was established.
By the mid-1970s, the Institut für Meereskunde offered around 20 courses. Lecturers came from the IfM and other institutions in Hamburg and Kiel. Exam reforms in the early 1980s allowed flexibility. Students in Physics, Meteorology, Oceanography, and Geophysics could switch to Oceanography.
In 2006, the IfM and the Institute for Geophysics created the Bachelor program Geophysics/Oceanography. In 2007, the IfM established the master Physikalische Ozeanographie. This transformed into the Ocean and Climate Physics Master Program. It became an English program in 2017.
Today, the Institut für Meereskunde is part of the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability CEN. Founded in 2011, CEN promotes research in earth systems and sustainability. It encourages interdisciplinary cooperation. The IfM is also involved in national, European, and international projects. It plays a vital role in KlimaCampus Hamburg.
The IfM focuses on key research areas. These include the Ocean in the Climate-Earth system. They also study Climate-relevant processes in the ocean. The dynamics and ecology of Shelf Sea systems are another focus.
From its humble beginnings to its current standing, the Institut für Meereskunde continues to shape our understanding of the oceans. Its research informs policies. It inspires future generations of oceanographers. As you stand here, consider the immense knowledge generated within these walls. The Institut für Meereskunde invites you to explore the depths of our planet’s oceans.