Geology 226 - Oceanography & Marine Science

Most of earth's surface is covered by oceans, giving our "blue marble" a unique look. Oceanic waters make it both nice and dangerous to live near the coasts. We will learn here about oceans by means of key questions. Where did all this water come from? What can we learn about the nature of the seas and their inhabitants? How have these creatures changed oceans through time? How do geology and tectonics determine the depth of an ocean basin? How do marine currents, the Coriolis effect, and strange ice-like substances in the sea floor influence global climate? In this course, we will gain a much-needed, more complete view of our global home.