Marine geology is the study of the Earth’s seafloor. It encompasses the study of marine sediments, rocks and fossils found on the seafloor. Marine geologists work to understand the history and evolution of the Earth’s oceans, as well as the processes that shape them.
The field of marine geology has its roots in early 19th-century explorations of the world’s oceans. The first scientific studies of the seafloor were conducted by HMS Beagle during its world voyage from 1831 to 1836. These early studies laid the foundation for our understanding of oceanography and plate tectonics.
Technological advances in the 20th century allowed marine geologists to explore even deeper parts of the ocean. The development of sonar technology during World War II led to major discoveries about seafloor topography. In 1953, scientists used sonar to map out an underwater mountain range that we now know asthe Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Today, marine geologists use a variety of tools and techniques to study the seafloor. Remote sensing technologies like satellite imagery and LiDAR can be used to map large areas ofthe ocean floor quickly and efficiently. Seafloor sampling techniques like coring and dredging allow scientists to collect samplesof sediment, rock and fossil for further analysis back on land. And new technologies like deep sea robots are giving us unprecedented access to unexplored parts ofthe ocean depths