Exhibits
FEATURED EXHIBITS
SCIENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES 
Learn about the fish caught off Oregon's coast, the science behind managing for sustainability, and the gear used to catch them.
This new exhibit features detailed scale models by local craftsman Duke Rider of actual boats that set out from Newport in search of salmon, albacore tuna and shrimp.
RHYTHMS OF OUR COASTAL WATERS: YAQUINA BAY
Discover what happens to salinity, or the amount of salt in the water, in an estuary located in Newport, Oregon. This exhibit is physically located in the HMSC Visitor Center and was created to help you, the general public, make sense of what is happening in the bays and estuaries in the Pacific Northwest.
The NANOOS exhibit features a simple refractometer which is used to measure salinity. Curious to know how this refractometer exhibit was designed and constructed? Click here.
Check out the Web version of this exhibit from the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Sites (NANOOS), including real-time data sets!
MAGIC PLANET
One of our newest exhibits, Magic Planet, is sure to spark your interest and capture your imagination.
The Magic Planet is a giant, animated globe that allows you to view and explore dynamic digital media of the planet’s atmosphere, oceans, and land. This captivating educational tool graphically illustrates earth system science to people of all ages in an engaging and interactive way.
Magic Planet presentations occur throughout the season on a variety of topics. We offer self-guided, computer-driven presentations so you can explore on your own.
INVASION OF THE HABITAT SNATCHERS
From Asian clams to zebra mussels, aquatic invasive species are emerging as a major environmental threat. They harm native fish and wildlife, permanently alter habitats, and lead to billions of dollars in costs.
Invasion of the Habitat Snatchers uses live displays, video and hands-on activities to demonstrate how invasive species enter and affect new environments, the factors that influence an invader’s “success” and how each of us can prevent future invasions.
Learn about aquatic invaders that threaten the Pacific Northwest, how they arrive and how they can be controlled. Get a close-up look at ballast water “hitchhikers,” Spin the "Wheel of Misfortune" to learn about invasion risks or play the role of an aquatic invader in an interactive survival game.
OUR EIGHT-ARMED RECEPTIONIST
An octopus has been greeting the public at the Visitor Center since shortly after we opened in 1965. It hasn't been the same octopus, of course. There have been many greeters, each with its own personality and level of enthusiasm for the job - and each with its own name, chosen by our visitors.
The octopus occupies the first large tank just as you enter our exhibit area. If the tank lid is open and you notice a crowd, that means it's feeding time, always a popular event for our visitors (and the octopus, too!). The octopus is fed only every few days - you can see the current feeding schedule here.
OCTOPUSES OR OCTOPI?
Linguistically speaking, the plural of octopus ought to be "octopodes," or the Anglicized "octopuses," since "octopi" tacks a Latin suffix onto the Greek root, "oktopous." However, most dictionaries accept either "octopuses" or "octopi," as do most of those who work with the animals.
Learn more about the Giant Pacific octopus.
EARTHQUAKES ON THE OREGON COAST?
Pardon our mess! You may notice some construction work going on in our Visitor Center. In the interest of safety, this Fall our buildings are undergoing upgrades to better withstand earthquakes. Although the Central Oregon Coast is an area not typically associated with a large number of earthquakes, the entire West Coast is located along shifting tectonic plates, which can lead to increased seismic activity resulting in potential earthquakes and tsunamis.
For more information on earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest, take a look at our Active Earth kiosk exhibit.
