# Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

> U.S. Government research laboratory

**Wikidata**: [Q4816515](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4816515)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Oceanographic_and_Meteorological_Laboratory)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlantic-oceanographic-and-meteorological-laboratory

## Why It Matters
The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory serves as a critical federal engine for scientific discovery, concentrating resources and talent purely on investigation rather than splitting focus with teaching obligations. By operating as a dedicated research institute under NOAA, AOML can pursue long-term, high-risk research essential to understanding oceanographic and meteorological phenomena—areas directly relevant to addressing global challenges like climate change. Its inclusion on the WikiProject Climate change focus list underscores its relevance to one of the most pressing issues of our time. The laboratory's specialized Hurricane Research Division exemplifies how concentrated expertise can advance understanding of extreme weather events, with implications for public safety, disaster preparedness, and environmental resilience. Research institutes like AOML provide spaces where scientists can tackle complex problems without distraction, accelerating breakthroughs that might not fit within university or corporate timelines.

## Notable For
- Operating as a dedicated U.S. Government research laboratory since 1973
- Functioning exclusively for research purposes, without teaching or commercial distractions
- Housing the specialized Hurricane Research Division as a subsidiary
- Recognition on WikiProject Climate change focus list, indicating relevance to critical environmental issues
- Maintaining a verified social media presence (@noaa_aoml) since 2014 with growing follower count (reaching 15,035 by February 2023)
- Classification across multiple international knowledge systems (Library of Congress, German National Library, Geonames, schema.org)
- Presence in four Wikipedia language editions (English, French, Portuguese, Ukrainian), indicating international recognition

## Body

### Organizational Classification and Structure
The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) is formally classified as both a government agency and a research institute—an organization whose primary purpose is to conduct research. Unlike universities that balance teaching and research missions, or companies that pursue research for commercial ends, AOML exists purely to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation. Its legal form is that of a government agency, and it operates within the industry of research.

AOML's parent organization is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), placing it within the broader U.S. federal scientific infrastructure. The laboratory maintains a subsidiary relationship with its Hurricane Research Division, suggesting specialized focus on tropical weather phenomena.

### Location and Physical Presence
AOML is headquartered on Virginia Key in Florida, with its precise address at 4301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, United States. The facility's geographic coordinates are latitude 25.73472376282164 and longitude -80.16207696018955, positioning it strategically for oceanographic and meteorological research in the Atlantic region.

### Historical Context
The laboratory was founded in 1973, establishing over five decades of continuous research operation. This inception date places AOML among the established federal research facilities with substantial institutional history and accumulated expertise.

### Digital Presence and Public Engagement
AOML maintains an active digital footprint designed for public accessibility and transparency:
- **Website**: http://www.aoml.noaa.gov (English language)
- **Twitter/X**: @noaa_aoml (verified account), launched August 6, 2014, with Twitter ID 2711909377
- **Social Media Growth**: Follower counts tracked over time—8,998 (April 2020), 10,738 (January 2021), 13,636 (March 2022), 15,035 (February 2023, preferred value)

### Identification Across Knowledge Systems
AOML is cataloged across numerous international identification and library systems:
- **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier)**: 0000000121555230
- **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File)**: 128925093
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n81042067
- **GRID (Global Research Identifier Database)**: grid.436459.9
- **ROR (Research Organization Registry)**: 042r9xb17
- **Ringgold ID**: 96721
- **Yale LUX ID**: group/66e2cb26-cd75-4f07-bce7-b4533f090b94
- **BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library) Creator ID**: 43484 (listed as "Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories")
- **Freebase ID**: /m/06l7rm
- **Microsoft Academic ID** (discontinued): 2802094821

### Wikipedia and Wikimedia Presence
AOML has a Wikipedia title entry in "Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory" and appears across four language editions: English (en), French (fr), Portuguese (pt), and Ukrainian (uk). It has a sitelink count of 4 and is included on the WikiProject Climate change focus list, highlighting its relevance to climate-related research and documentation efforts.

### Visual Identity
The laboratory's logo is available through Wikimedia Commons at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Aomlogo.svg, providing a standardized visual identifier for the organization.

### Alternative Names and Aliases
AOML is also known by the abbreviation "AOML" and the Portuguese designation "Laboratório Meteorológico e Oceanográfico do Atlântico," reflecting its international recognition, particularly in Portuguese-speaking regions.

## References

1. GRID Release 2017-01-10
2. Virtual International Authority File
3. [Source](https://www.aoml.noaa.gov/contact-us/)
4. Google Knowledge Graph
5. GRID Release 2015-12-14
6. GRID Release 2016-12-06
7. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
8. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph