Ocean Floor Exploration

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Ocean Floor Exploration
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HMS Challenger (1872-1876)

• The old method of data collection to map the
  ocean floor used lead weights and rope.

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SONAR (Echo Sounder)

• SOund Navigation And Ranging
• Began use in 1925
• Helped submarines in WWII

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Satellites

• In the 1970s, orbiting satellites began to
  collect ocean data
• This method proved to be much faster

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Satellite Coverage in 10 Days
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Seasat

• launched in 1978
• measures direction speed of ocean currents

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Geosat (used to map sea floor)
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Underwater Submersibles

• Ex. of piloted vessels The Alvin and Deep Flight
• Ex. of robotic vessels JASON II and Medea (both
  are tethered together)

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Jason II (ocean floor)
Medea (ocean surface)
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The Alvin
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Deep Flight Submersible
Actually classified as an underwater airplane.
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Ocean Floor Features
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Ocean Floor Features
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Active Continental Margin
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Passive Continental Margin