Marine geology

study of the history and structure of the ocean floor

thumb|Ordovician ophiolite in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland thumb|Chromitic serpentinite, Bay of Islands Ophiolite, Lewis Hills, Newfoundland thumb|Chromitite ore with chromite (black) & talc and/or antigorite (whitish). Shetland Ophiolite Complex, ~425-500 Ma. [[Shetland Islands, North Sea, UK]]

geologic basin under the sea

ocean floor area where hydrogen sulfide, methane and other hydrocarbon-rich fluid seepage occurs

Sapropel (a contraction of Ancient Greek words sapros and pelos, meaning putrefaction and mud (or clay), respectively) is a term used in marine geology to describe dark-coloured sediments that are rich in organic matter. Organic carbon concentrations in sapropels commonly exceed 2 wt.% in weight.

marine sinkhole or cavern

sediment from marine waters

submarine features associated with island arcs and subduction zones

marine research program in 1961

sediments derived from the erosion of rocks on land

interpretations of an indistinct sonar image taken by P. Lindberg and D. Åsberg while treasure-hunting on the floor of the northern Baltic Sea at the center of the Bothnian Sea in June 2011

fine-grained sediment that accumulates on the floor of the open ocean

Paleoceanography is the study of the history of the oceans in the geologic past with regard to biology, chemistry, circulation, geology, and patterns of biological productivity and sedimentation. Paleoceanographic studies using environment models and different proxies enable the scientific community to assess the role of the oceanic processes in the global climate by the re-construction of past climate at various intervals. Paleoceanographic research is also intimately tied to paleoclimatology.

world's deepest known blue hole

marine research program between 1983–2003

sedimentary body with topographic relief composed of autochthonous calcareous deposits

marine research program between 1966–1983

marine research program between 2003–2013

pelagic sediment