What is Oceanography?

Oceanography

An interdisciplinary science with four major sub-disciplines.

Geological

Examines the history and dynamic features of the seafloor, including major processes such as the formation of ocean basins, coastal erosion, earthquakes and sediment transport.

Physical

Examines the physical properties and motion of seawater, including major processes such as tides, waves, wind-driven currents and deep ocean circulation.

Chemical

Examines the chemical constituents of seawater and ocean sediments, including major processes such as nutrient cycles, the carbonate system, and the sources and sinks of dissolved gasses and trace metals.

Biological

Examines how the composition and abundance of marine life varies in space and time in response to changes in the ocean, including major processes such as primary and secondary production, food webs, and succession and dispersal patterns, with ties to fisheries and conservation issues.

The World Ocean

The world ocean encompasses all of the geographical, physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur within it, and how they might be affected by human activities and planetary phenomena.

Ocean Facts

• Average depth: about 3700 m

• About 90% of the world ocean’s volume lies below 200 m – so the deep sea covers about 65% of our planet’s surface!

• Largest habitat on earth

• Impacts weather/climate and humans