Beneath the Surface: Physical Processes and Marine Chemistry
Marine chemistry is used to understand physical processes, such as ocean circulation, as well as various biological processes.
Making the Pieces Fit: Birth of a Theory: Plate Tectonics
Canadian geophysicist John Tuzo Wilson argued that Earth's outer layer consists of about a dozen separate plates, which float on the partially melted asthenosphere below them. His ideas paved the way for the integration of seafloor spreading and con...
World in Motion: Seamounts, Guyots and Island Arcs
Seamounts, guyots and island arcs form on the ocean floor as a result of a hot spot or mantle plume. While seamounts do not extend above the ocean surface, a guyot is tall enough to be eroded by wave activity and therefore has a flat top. An island ...
World in Motion: Plate Boundaries and Plate Movement
Whether studying earthquakes, volcanoes, or other geologic events, scientists usually focus their attention on plate boundaries and plate movement.
World in Motion: Heat, Convection and Plate Tectonics
Most scientists believe heat and convection probably play a major role in plate tectonics. And, yet, many questions remain.
World in Motion: Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics
With the advent of plate tectonics, it's become apparent that episodes of extreme geologic upheaval--like earthquakes--are much more than simply random events.
World in Motion: Understanding Earth's Interior
Many scientists believe the plate tectonics process begins deep within the Earth. The challenge is to gather reliable data about an area that no one has ever actually explored--at least not directly.
Living Together: Hydrothermal Vents: Life in the Extreme
Hydrothermal vents were discovered by the submersible Alvin in 1977. They are sometimes characterized as deep ocean hot springs found thousands of feet beneath the surface. Hydrothermal vents are of great interest because of their circulation proces...
Dirty Water: Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
Many scientists are convinced that there is a connection between global climate change and the increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Those who believe that global warming is a real and serious problem often cite sea level rise as one reason ...
Deep Connections: Tracers
A tracer is a property or substance that can be used to track the movement of individual water masses. While the utility of specific tracers varies according to the locale and circumstance, tracers as a group provide a rich source of information ab...