1. Intro to Geological Oceanography

2. What is Geological Oceanograpahy?
Focus on the geological and geographic boundaries of oceans
Plate tectonics
Seafloor spreading
Rock formation
Studies when and how current ocean basins were formed
Geology of oceans impacts the chemical, physical and biological characteristics

3. World’s Ocean Basins
There are four ocean basins: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, and Arctic
Basins are connected to form World Ocean
Basins were formed over 200 million years ago
Each basin is a very unique body of water

4. World’s Ocean Basins Pacific Basin: “peaceful sea”
Largest ocean basin; contains about half of the earth’s water
Contrary to its name, Pacific often subject to rough waters caused by typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis
Contains the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Mariana Trench
Contains over 25,000 islands

5. Pacific Ring of Fire

6. World’s Ocean Basins Atlantic Basin: “Sea of Atlas”
Second largest ocean basin; deepest point is the Puerto Rico Trench
Saltiest of oceans (33-37 part per thousand)
Contains large submerged mountain range known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Contains Bermuda Triangle, the Gulf Stream, and other strong trade winds

7. Bermuda Triangle

8. World’s Ocean Basins Indian Basin: Artic Basin:
Covers about 20% of the Earth’s water surface
Deepest point is the Java Trench
Climate and the currents are strongly influenced by monsoon wind systems
Artic Basin:
Shallowest, most northern basin
Deepest point is Eurasia Basin

9. Beginning of Earth and Oceans
Big Bang theory is the leading idea behind the origin of Earth
Earth is 4.6 billion years old
Oceans formed as a result of a cooling period that allowed water vapor in the atmosphere to liquefy
Thunderclouds formed and dropped water into basins

10. Origin of the Continents
Early ideas were that continents were held in place and were in there original positions
In 1912, a German meteorologist named Alfred Wegener came up with the hypothesis of continental drift
A single landmass broke apart into smaller landmasses that currently for our continents and our ocean borders
Claim was initially not well received