Abstract This paper explores how oceanography affects the sectors of contemporary societal issues, economic problems, and political and natural problems. The paper addresses these sectors as interrelated aspects of the same system, as opposed to independent forces or phenomena. The paper also discusses the rapid increases in human population as a significant societal issue to which oceanography is relevant and then looks at the topic of offshore drilling that has both economic considerations and governmental political implications. The paper attempts to demonstrate how oceanography is a complex and multi-tiered science that is relevant today.
From the Paper "Oceanography is an astonishingly vast science. It is actually made up of many essential sciences that illustrate the relevance of oceanography to the areas of society issues, economic problems, and political and natural hazards. It is comprised of four fundamental sections including Biological Oceanography, which addresses environmental impacts, fisheries/aquaculture, and marine biology. The second section is Chemical Oceanography, which addresses the environment and pollution. The third is Geological Oceanography, which includes hydrography, geo-sciences, glaciers/ice/snow, hazards, and study of the paleoenvironment. The fourth and most well known is Physical Oceanography, which studies acoustics, atmosphere, circulation/physics, climate, meteorology, modeling, operational & observing systems, and optics."
Abstract This paper begins with a general definition of oceanography. It continues to paint a more realistic picture of the work of an oceanographer. The paper offers details on different focuses of oceanography,like climatological, palaeoceanographic and physical to name a few. In conclusion, the author highlights the importance of the information derived from this particular science. It also includes graphic representation to qualify points made.
From the Paper "Long Bay in California is a heavily populated coastal region that has many tourists visiting it at all times. Sand resources are here for recreational purposes, as well as for coastal habitat. It must be noted that earlier studies of the same have revealed a large amount of sand deposits, which are situated oblique tot eh existing shoreline. This is oriented clockwise in the offshore direction, and the sand feature is about ten kilometers long, two kilometers wide, and more than three meters thick. It is assumed that these sand deposits are providing a rich source of beach nourishment material. This study was undertaken in order to, at the outset, measure and models the oceanographic circulation in the area, and secondly, to identify and recognize the various processes that maintain the presence of this particular sand feature."
Abstract This paper discusses the different kinds of coral reefs that exist. The author explains the various ways that coral reefs are formed, along with the factors that contribute to the growth of coral reefs. In addition, the author also analyzes the various theories centering around the formation of coral reefs.
From the Paper "There are three different types of reefs. These are the fringing reef, the barrier reef, and the atoll. The fringing reef is a coral reef that attaches to the margins of islands and conti"nents. It consists of several types of corals without any predomi"nant type. It is surrounded by a few corals that are separated from the island or continent by areas of sand. The fringing reef forms an area along the shore and along the margins of the island where colonies of coral can grow. These reefs begin to grow below the low water mark and extend seaward. The fringing reef is always attached to the margin of the island or continent, and the edge lying sea?ward is not separated from the main land by a lagoon."
Abstract This paper discusses various theories based on literature, science, archaeology, oceanography, and religion to provide an interdisciplinary look at the legend of Atlantis. Using the ideas of Brazilian scientist, Arysio Nunes dos Santos, R. Cedric Leonard, and several other thinkers, a hypothesis is formed about the vestiges of this ancient society.
From the Paper "The Mediterranean Sea has been also looked at as a possibility, and on the surface, it might seem quite believable that an advanced civilization did exist in that area. Plato believed that the island of Atlantis flourished approximately 9,000 years before his time. However, it is believed that the philosopher might have miscalculated, for about 900 years before Plato's time, there was a civilized people known as the Minoans, who inhabited what is now the Island of Crete. They were a very advanced nation with many parallels to Atlantis, including their peacefulness, their love of bullfighting (common in Spain, another Mediterranean country), their advanced irrigation system, and equal rights for women."
Abstract This paper purports to investigate our greater understanding of the unified theory of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading. The structure of the earth and the traditional theory of continental drift is examined, followed by a look at the more unified theory of plate tectonics. The global ramifications of this theory is investigated by examining the damaging tectonic activity caused by seafloor spreading, specifically earthquakes as well as the hazards these earthquakes in turn generate, namely tsunamis. Case studies are provided to illustrate the damaging nature of these natural forces. Finally the paper examines whether these hazards can be predicted or prepared for given our greater understanding of their causes.
From the Paper "The Earth is a layered planet consisting of the crust, mantel and core as illustrated in Figure 1 below. Due to the intense heat during the formation of the planet, Earth was mostly molten. The more dense materials sank to the centre forming the core while the lighter materials floated to the surface and gradually formed a rigid layer called the lithosphere (Byatt 2001:18). The upper part of this lithosphere is called the crust, a layer about 80km to 40km thick (Strahler & Strahler 1989:254). The lithosphere also includes the upper part of the mantle called the asthenosphere, which is highly heated to a state that is semi plastic. The rigid, brittle lithosphere, which is broken into large fragments called lithospheric plates, has the capability of moving over the soft, plastic asthenosphere."
Abstract The paper looks at the points in the globe that are most surrounded by water and land. The paper compares the land and water areas in the northern and southern hemisphere and discusses flying and sailing between the two most distant points. The paper discusses convergent plate boundaries and the correlation between ocean depths and plate tectonic processes. The paper examines major ocean surface current patterns, swells, breaking surf, tsunamis and tides. The paper also looks at depositional coasts versus erosional coasts.
Outline:
Identifying the Current Location
The Point Most Surrounded by Water
The Point Most Surrounded by Land
Comparison Between the Land and Water Areas in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere
Flying Between the Two Most Distant Points
Sailing Between the Two Most Distant Points
Convergent Plate Boundaries
The Correlation Between Ocean Depths and Plate Tectonic Processes
Major Ocean Surface Current Patterns
Swells, Breaking surf, Tsunami
How do Tides in a Bay Depend on its Location in the Ocean?
Depositional Coasts versus Erosional Coasts
Marine Organisms in Pelagic and Benthic zones
From the Paper "New York belongs to the state bearing the same name and is situated on the north-eastern coast of the U.S.A, at the point where the Hudson River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The city's geographical coordinates are latitude 40047'N and longitude 73058' W. The city is renown for its cultural aura, but also for its financial, business, and trading organizations which play a major role to the national and world economy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City)."
