Tudor Hill at ASU BIOS: A uniquely positioned ocean-atmosphere research hub

A long-term platform for studying the connections between the ocean and atmosphere.

The Tudor Hill Marine Atmospheric Observatory (THMAO) facility at the ASU Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (ASU BIOS) stands as one of the island’s most unique research outposts, combining historical significance with leading scientific work. The facility is located at Tudor Hill, at the western end of Bermuda. Originally established in the 1950s as a high-security site for monitoring Soviet submarines, the buildings and surrounding area required armed guards and strict security clearance. The US military granted ASU BIOS (then known as BBSR) permission to install an atmospheric research tower at the site in 1988, as part of the international AEROCE study.

Today, THMAO serves as a critical platform for atmospheric and oceanic research. Its remote location facing the prevailing southwesterly winds allows researchers to collect air samples directly from the open ocean, providing data that are nearly impossible to obtain elsewhere on the island. The facility hosts instruments for measuring greenhouse gases, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental pollutants, contributing to long-term global monitoring networks. Some records at Tudor Hill date back to 1989, offering continuous datasets for climate research

"The THMAO provides the only permanent observational platform in the atmospheric boundary layer of the open ocean in the western North Atlantic Ocean. This gives us the ability to continuously sample the layer of the atmosphere that is in direct contact with the ocean, an important interface for the exchange of energy, chemicals, and moisture between the atmosphere and the ocean. These are key factors in many global biogeochemical processes,” said Andrew Peters, who oversees research activities at the facility and supports the work of ASU BIOS researchers and visiting scientists from the US and internationally.

In addition to ASU BIOS research at the site, the THMAO also functions as a key research hub visiting scientists, providing access to its unique atmospheric sampling capabilities. The facility operates as a shared platform for US and international researchers, with programs involving NASA, NOAA, NADP, Canadian federal agencies, and universities and institutes across North America, currently including Pennsylvania State University, the University of Delaware, and Carnegie Science. Key research activities at the THMAO include

• Routine sampling of meteorological conditions, and aerosol and rainwater composition.
• Weekly greenhouse gas sampling for global monitoring.
• Passive atmospheric sampling for pesticides, industrial chemicals, mercury, and other pollutants.
• Remote sensing observations, including light absorption measurements to study atmospheric composition.

• Seismological investigations of Bermuda’s geology.

   

Andrew Peters has also played an important role in securing funding to support the modernization and upgrade of the THMAO facility, helping to strengthen the infrastructure and capabilities available to researchers. These improvements include the custom-built 23-metre tower and new laboratory space for instrument installation, sample processing, and research activities, ensuring that the facility can continue to support long-term monitoring, visiting scientists, and future research.

Peters also noted that one of the most rewarding aspects of working at THMAO is the opportunity to connect with scientists and research projects from around the world. These interactions often lead to long-term collaborations and continued research at the facility. Fostering international collaboration is an important part of ASU BIOS’s mission, and THMAO provides a unique platform for bringing researchers together.

The facility also supports community engagement and education, providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in research and ocean science. Together, its historical legacy, strategic location, and role as a shared research platform make Tudor Hill Marine Atmospheric Observatory an important resource for studying the connections between the ocean and atmosphere and their implications for environmental change, both locally and globally.