Download 103-01-IntrodOcean-2006(Lesson01)

INTRODUCTION
TO
GENERAL OCEANOGRAPHY
(GEOL 1033)
“Few people stand at the edge
of the sea without feeling
awed by its size and power,
and without wondering
what lies hidden beneath its
surface” (Drake et al., 1978,
p. iii).
General Oceanography
• GEOL 1033
• Emphasizes deep ocean basins & has a planetary
scale
• Some coverage of nearshore materials, processes,
coastal landforms and environments that were
once was taught in Coastal Oceanography
(GEOL 1053)
Continental-Margin
Oceanography
Deep-Sea Oceanography
SYLLABUS, READING & WRITTEN
ASSIGNMENTS, STUDY GUIDE, & TEXTBOOK
•
Go to Word…
4 Major Traditional Subdivisions of Oceanography
• 1.
• 2.
• 3.
• 4.
4 Major Traditional Subdivisions of Oceanography
• 1. Geological Oceanography:
– Applies principles of geology and geophysics
– Examples of studies:
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Depths, topography, shapes of the ocean basins
Composition of seafloor and oceanic crust
Structures, seafloor earthquakes, marine volcanism, etc.
Origin & history of ocean basins
Long-term climate changes
4 Major Traditional Subdivisions of Oceanography
• 2. Physical Oceanography:
– Applies principles of physics and some chemistry and
meteorology
– Studies:
•
•
•
•
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Water motion
Energy
Waves
Tides
Currents
Marine weather & climate
4 Major Traditional Subdivisions of Oceanography
• 3. Chemical Oceanography:
– Applies principles of chemistry
– Studies seawater:
•
•
•
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Composition
Properties
Variations
Chemical reactions
– Uses chemical techniques to solve oceanographic
problems
4 Major Traditional Subdivisions of Oceanography
• 4. Biological Oceanography:
– Applies principles of biology
– Studies:
• Diversity of marine life
• Abundance of marine life
• Ecology of marine life
– Uses biological techniques to solve oceanographic
problems
Two Other Important Aspects of Oceanography
• 5.
• 6.
Two Other Important Aspects of Oceanography
• 5. Ocean Engineering:
– Many kinds of engineers are needed
– Develop ocean technology to deal with practical problems
– Design & build marine structures, ships, docks, etc.
• 6. Policy Development & Management:
– Must deal with ocean exploitation, pollution, “laws of the sea,”
etc.
– Many disciplines are involved:
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Economics
Politics
Recreation
Education
Law
Our Approach to Understanding the Oceans
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Describe their features (“facts” or the what)
When they develop, etc. (“timing”)
Where they develop (“geography”)
Learn their processes (“how they work”)
– Fast rates - observe directly
– Slow rates - measure indirectly
• Develop “models” to
• Explain observations & measurements
• Look for simplifying concepts & trends
Planet "OCEANUS,” not EARTH
• 71% of surface
is oceanic
• Glaciers cover
about 10%
• 98% of the
water is salty
END OF FILE
• REVIEW:
• What are the 4 major traditional subdivisions of Oceanography?
– 1. ______________________
– 3. ______________________
2. ______________________
4. ______________________
• Deep-sea mining and coastal zone management might require
knowledge associated with what kinds of occupations?
– 1. ______________________
– 3. ______________________
2. ______________________
4. ______________________