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Diving the Great Barrier Reef

Erika Woolsey: Marine Biologist

Diving the Great Barrier Reef

National Geographic Live

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 6:30 PM Des Moines Civic Center
Wednesday, April 22, 2026 - 6:30 PM Des Moines Civic Center

EVENT DETAILS

  • Clock

    Run Time:
    90 minutes, no intermission

  • Lounge

    Patron Lounge will be open

  • Information
    Age Recommendation: 10+
    Please note only children age 5 and over with tickets will be allowed into the theater for this production.
  • Information

    Group Discount:
    Groups of 10+ save 15%. Call 515-246-2300

  • Link

When the time is right, the most celebrated reef on Earth turns into a snow globe as millions of coral polyps reproduce to send the next generation afloat. This incredible display disguises a harsh truth: the Great Barrier Reef is under attack. More than half of the coral here has died, with a warmer ocean bleaching vast sections. But there is still plenty to see and plenty to save. We go on assignment in a series of dives with marine biologist and National Geographic Explorer Erika Woolsey to meet the most colorful residents of this underwater jungle.

Dr. Erika Woolsey is a marine biologist, divemaster, and virtual reality filmmaker. Her research and career have taken her to reefs all over the world. Woolsey carried out her Ph.D. research in Australia, where she studied the Great Barrier Reef. She is the chief scientist and CEO of The Hydrous, a non-profit organization on a mission to inspire ocean empathy and marine stewardship. She uses 360-degree photography to create immersive virtual reality videos to help people understand the ocean and reefs from anywhere in the world. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab

Diving the Great Barrier Reef: National Geographic Live Speaker Series

Video: Diving the Great Barrier Reef: National Geographic Live Speaker Series

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