51ÔÚÏß

Geological Oceanography

Geological oceanographers in the College of Marine Science conduct research from the continental margins to the deep-ocean seafloor. Research methods allow them to investigate over a timescale from modern environments to millions of years ago in order to understand and predict Earth surface and interior processes.

Primary research themes include: (1) paleoceanography and paleoclimatology; (2) coastline and continental shelf development and processes including effects of storms and sea-level fluctuations; (3) the health of coral reefs and carbonate depositional environments; (4) anthropogenic influences on estuaries; (5) mathematical explanations of geologic phenomena; and (6) plate tectonics. Our geological oceanography group has a variety of modern well-equipped laboratories and field equipment, including one of the best seafloor mapping capabilities in the US. Fully integrated with these field instruments is the computational capability to generate state-of-the art data depictions and imagery.

Our group also works closely with scientists from the US Geological Survey’s Center for Coastal and Marine Science Center, a major federal laboratory located nearby.

View our Geological Oceanography Faculty

Sample Research Groups

• - A global ten-year, $36.6 million research program to understand the impacts of the oil spills on the Gulf of Mexico. 

• - a program funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to collect high resolution bathymetry data and other data products to improve our understanding of reef fish and sea turtle habitat on the West 51ÔÚÏß Shelf. 

• - a five-year, $9 million cooperative agreement with NOAA to develop new technologies and approaches to ocean and coastal zone mapping to help build resilient coastal ecosystems, communities, and economies.

• Southern Ocean Science – a research group dedicated to interdisciplinary research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean that has broad implications for coastal communities globally, including here in 51ÔÚÏß, particularly with respect to future sea levels and climate change.