MSCI B210 Chapter 4-5: notes
13 Jan 2020
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Bathymetry- the discovery and study of ocean floor topography is. First recorded by posidonius: used weight attached to string, 2km at 85 bc, new info after titanic. The speed of sound through seawater varies with temperature, pressure, and salinity: made depth readings slightly inaccurate. 1959- first comprehensive charts of the ocean floor. Echo sounding- sending sound wave to be reflected: depth= v(t/2, single soundwave to single spot inaccurate. Satellite- sends signals of height of ocean while in orbit. Geosat, topex/ poseidon, jason-1, and jason-2- allowed the rapid mapping of the world ocean floor from space. Telepresence- the extension of a person"s senses by remote manipulators. The seabed topography we observe is the result of this dynamic balance and the jostling of tectonic plates. The transition to basalt marks the true edge of the continent and divides ocean floors into two major provinces.
