"Marine geology or geological oceanography is the study of the history and structure of the ocean floor."
The study of the structure, composition, and evolution of oceanic crust, sediments, and the processes that shape the seafloor.
Plate tectonics: The theory that explains the movement of the Earth's lithosphere (crust and uppermost mantle) and how it creates oceanic basins, mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones.
Seafloor spreading: The process whereby new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and pushes older crust away from the ridge axis.
Marine sedimentation: The processes involved in the deposition of sediment in the ocean basins, including sources and pathways of sediment, sediment types and properties, and sediment transport mechanisms.
Ocean currents: The motion of seawater in the ocean, including the forces that drive ocean currents, the characteristics of ocean currents, and their roles in global ocean circulation.
Waves and tides: The forces that create waves and tides, the characteristics of waves and tides, and their effects on coastal environments.
Marine ecosystems: The diversity, structure and function of marine ecosystems, including the interactions between organisms and their physical environment.
Marine geophysics: The use of geophysical methods to study the geological structure and properties of the oceanic lithosphere and underlying mantle.
Marine minerals: The formation, distribution and exploitation of mineral resources in the ocean, including hydrothermal vents, seafloor massive sulfides, manganese nodules, and phosphorites.
Marine hazards: The natural hazards associated with the ocean, including tsunamis, storm surges, sea level rise, and ocean acidification.
Coastal processes: The processes that shape the coastal zone, including erosion, deposition, and sediment transport, and their links to sea level rise and climate change.
Marine geology history: The history of the Earth's oceans, including major events such as the formation of the oceans, mass extinctions and oceanic anoxic events.
Ocean engineering: The application of engineering principles to design ocean structures, including ships, offshore platforms, and coastal protection systems.
Oceanography: The study of physical, chemical, geological, and biological processes in the ocean.
Seafloor mapping: The process of mapping the seafloor using sonar technology and other geophysical techniques.
Seafloor spreading: The process of tectonic plates moving apart and the formation of new oceanic crust.
Marine sedimentology: The study of sediments and sedimentary rocks on the seafloor.
Marine geophysics: The study of the physical properties of the oceanic crust and the Earth's mantle beneath it.
Paleoceanography: The study of the history of the oceans and the evolution of marine organisms.
Marine volcanology: The study of volcanoes on the seafloor, including their distribution, characteristics, and potential hazards to humans.
Coastal and estuarine geology: The study of beaches, cliffs, and other coastal features, as well as the geology of estuaries.
Marine biogeochemistry: The study of the chemical processes that occur in the ocean, including the cycling of nutrients and the production of organic matter.
Marine ecology: The study of the relationships between marine organisms and their environment, including the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems.
Marine geotechnology: The application of geophysical and other techniques to study the seafloor and sub-seafloor.
Marine archaeology: The study of underwater cultural heritage, including shipwrecks and other submerged sites of historical significance.
"It involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations of the ocean floor and coastal zone."
"Marine geology has strong ties to geophysics and to physical oceanography."
"Marine geological studies were of extreme importance in providing the critical evidence for sea floor spreading and plate tectonics in the years following World War II."
"The deep ocean floor is the last essentially unexplored frontier."
"Detailed mapping in support of both military (submarine) objectives and economic (petroleum and metal mining) objectives drives the research."
"Marine geology involves investigations of the ocean floor and coastal zone."
"It involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations."
"Marine geology has strong ties to geophysics and to physical oceanography."
"Marine geological studies were of extreme importance in providing the critical evidence for sea floor spreading and plate tectonics."
"The deep ocean floor is the last essentially unexplored frontier."
"Detailed mapping in support of both military (submarine) objectives and economic (petroleum and metal mining) objectives drives the research."
"Marine geology is the study of the history and structure of the ocean floor."
"It involves geophysical, geochemical, sedimentological and paleontological investigations of the ocean floor and coastal zone."
"Marine geological studies were of extreme importance in providing the critical evidence for sea floor spreading and plate tectonics."
"The deep ocean floor is the last essentially unexplored frontier."
"Detailed mapping in support of economic (petroleum and metal mining) objectives drives the research."
"Marine geology involves investigations of the ocean floor and coastal zone."
"Marine geology has strong ties to geophysics and to physical oceanography."
"Marine geological studies were of extreme importance in providing the critical evidence for sea floor spreading and plate tectonics in the years following World War II."