Cape Cod Scientist Discusses Shipwrecks and Submerged Aircraft

Marine biologist Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser to present research at Cape Cod Museum of Natural History event.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:04am

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A bold, abstract painting in soft greens, blues, and browns, featuring sweeping geometric shapes and precise botanical spirals, conceptually representing the complex interplay between shipwrecks and the diverse marine life they support.Shipwrecks serve as both memorials and thriving marine habitats, as this abstract illustration depicts the intricate relationship between human history and the natural world.Boston Today

Marine biologist Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser will give a presentation on her research into shipwrecks and submerged aircraft, including those found in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Boston. The event is part of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History's Silver Science series and will take place on April 11.

Why it matters

Meyer-Kaiser's research explores how shipwrecks and submerged aircraft serve as both memorials to lives lost and as habitats for marine life, providing insights into how human activities influence the natural environment over time. Her work also involves collaborating with commercial fishing communities to preserve cultural heritage sites.

The details

During the presentation, Meyer-Kaiser will discuss how different metals in wreckage affect marine life and the efforts to work with commercial fishing communities to preserve cultural heritage sites. She studies island-like communities of sessile invertebrates, especially those living in anthropogenic habitats, and is a technical scuba diver who frequently travels for research.

  • The event is set for 1 p.m. on April 11, 2026.
  • The Silver Science series invites leading figures from various scientific disciplines to the museum to present their work.

The players

Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser

A marine biologist who studies shipwrecks and submerged aircraft, including those in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Boston. She works at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and is a technical scuba diver who frequently travels for research.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History

A museum in Brewster, Massachusetts that hosts the Silver Science series, inviting leading figures from various scientific disciplines to present their work.

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What they’re saying

“There are three million shipwrecks worldwide. They serve as memorials to lives lost but also become part of the environment.”

— Kirstin Meyer-Kaiser, Marine Biologist

What’s next

Tickets for the event are available online at https://ccmnh.org. Prices are $10 for those age 60 and older, which includes museum admission, and $12 for those younger than 60, which does not include admission.

The takeaway

Meyer-Kaiser's research highlights the dual role of shipwrecks and submerged aircraft as both memorials and habitats, providing valuable insights into the complex relationship between human activities and the natural environment. Her collaboration with fishing communities also underscores the importance of preserving cultural heritage sites.