First Steps: The History of Marine Exploration: Technology and Collaboration
The past hundred years has been a time of explosive growth and change within marine science. Perhaps the greatest change has been the recognition that, if it is to flourish, oceanography must be practiced in a collaborative and multi-disciplinary ma...
Making the Pieces Fit: Confirming the Theory of Plate Tectonics
The theory of plate tectonics was initially accepted largely on the basis of indirect, paleomagnetic data. Eventually, however, it was confirmed through the use of GPS technology, which is able to actually measure plate motion.
Making the Pieces Fit: Significance of Plate Tectonics Theory
The evidence of plate tectonics takes many forms, from mountain ranges to oceanic ridges and volcanism It is widely considered to be a unifying theory that ties together a variety of scientific disciplines, including marine geology and geophysics, p...
Food for Thought: Conditions Required for Photosynthesis
The first step in the primary production process is photosynthesis. It can only take place if certain critical conditions are met, including the presence of light and chemical nutrients. Temperature also plays a role, with reactions proceeding more ...
Something in the Air: Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
While Hadley cells are generally considered to be the most basic of atmospheric cells, there are a number of other air circulation patterns, as well. These include the east-to-west moving Walker cells, and the circulation zone located near the equat...
Building Blocks: Origins of Life
There are many questions yet to be answered about how, why and where life on Earth began. There are those who believe that DNA protein-based life as we know it may have had its origins in the world of RNA.
Building Blocks: Role of Evolution in Early Life
The ability to adapt to changing or difficult conditions is clearly necessary if an organism is to be biologically successful.
Deep Connections: Differences Between Deep Ocean and Surface Currents
The flow of ocean currents follows predictable patterns governed by a variety of physical factors. For surface currents, which include water flow horizontally in the upper four hundred meters of the ocean, wind is the primary driving force. For deep...
Deep Connections: Deep Ocean Circulation and Global Climate
Some scientists are concerned that just as thermohaline circulation has changed significantly over time, it could change again and possibly cause abrupt climate change in both the United States and Europe.
Building Blocks: Role of the Ocean in Early Life
Many scientists believe that life on Earth began in the ocean, because continental areas on the early Earth did not offer the kind of conditions that would have been conducive to life.