The Leibniz-Institute for Oceanography at the University Kiel (IFM-GEOMAR) originated in January 2004, from the fusion of the research centre for marine and geo science (GEOMAR) and the institute for marine science (IfM).

image author: Jens Thöl

It is the institute's objective is to process in inter disciplinarian collaboration all important sections of modern maritime research, the ocean floor's geology to maritime meteorology. The research is being done on all world oceans.

The research main points are combined in four central sections:  ocean circulation and climate dynamic, marine bio-geo-chemistry, marine ecology and dynamic of the ocean floor.

image author: Jens Thöl

In addition there are two special research sections of the Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Community), which are occupied with the current process in the world's oceans as well as with the processes at the rims of the tectonic plates as trigger of natural disasters and climate changes.

With an annual finance volume of € 25,4 mill., basic equipment by Federal Government and Country and additional € 19 mill. third-party funds, four in Kiel established research ships, diverse central laboratories and an attractive aquarium the new Leibniz-Institute for Oceanography sets international standards.