The Ellett Line: Decades of ocean discovery and 30-metre waves!

You might not have heard of The Ellett Line, but it's one of the most important and influential projects in ocean science today.A series of data points in the Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland, The Ellett Line is visited by a research ship every two years to collect data from equipment at each of these points. More than 50 years since it was established, The Ellett Line has given scientists a foundation of knowledge and a unique insight into how large scale ocean currents are affected by climate change and other factors. This in turn has improved climate and weather forecasting and helped oceanographers studying Atlantic and Arctic waters to answer some of the biggest questions in marine science today.In this episode, recorded during the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Glasgow, guests Prof. Mark Inall of SAMS and Prof. Penny Holliday of the National Oceanography Centre discuss their own histories with The Ellett Line, what its future may hold - and what it's like being on a research ship in 30-metre waves!The Ocean Explorer podcast is produced by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), an ocean research charity and partner of UHI based in Oban.In each episode, we take a deep dive into marine science topics with SAMS scientists and special guests.Interested in working or studying with us, or helping with our work? Visit www.sams.ac.uk to find out more.