Geology

Question 1: describe how the sea floor is studied.

Study of the sea floor has, by and large, been an impersonal study. Due to the great pressures bearing down upon the floor, humans cannot physically travel there without mechanical and structural aid to withstand the weight of the water bearing down upon them. The only currently was to physically travel to portions of the sea floor are submersibles, reinforced metal subs with thick quartz portals to allow the scientist to, at least partially and briefly view the dark stretches of the sea floor. Though advances in pressure suits are beginning to allow more and more deep sea exploration by the scientists themselves. Scientists also use coring and digging devices from surface ships to collect samples of the sea floor. These devices collect samples of the terrain, ranging from a few centimeters of the top layer, to multilayered columns that can be viewed "like the pages of a book".

The vast majority of the information attained about the sea floor however is from the indirect means of robotic and mechanical assistance. Submersible robots installed with clamps and cameras, along with of course a lighting array to shine on the darkness that has never been illuminated by the sun's rays, are one of the major exploratory methods used to gain knowledge of this uncharted territory. These robots are controlled by scientist to act as there appendages on the deep sea floor, allowing them gather samples from various oceanic terrains. Different sonar techniques are currently the best way to map out the sea floor. "GLORIA" is currently the most effective technique, as this technology allows for a much wider view of the ocean floor than previous forms of sonar. "GLORIA" is trailed along behind 200m the ship and floating 50 meters below the surface. This device allows for a broad view of the floor on either side of the ship where previous version could only sea the floor directly beneath the ship.

Question 2: Describe the geological nature and significance of the mid-oceanic ridge.

The mid-oceanic ridges are akin to wide mountains with many cliffs making up its crest. The ridges rise up to about two kilometers high, and 1500 kilometers wide! Though not taller, this is certainly wider than any continental mountain range. An interesting feature about these ridges is that they are interconnected, traveling from ocean to ocean all around the world, "like the seam on a baseball" the lessons says. Inside the rents at the crest are many volcanic fissures.

The volcanic fissures occurs the most common volcanic activity on the sea floor, the undersea lava flow. The fissures in the valleys of the mid-oceanic ridges are a outlet for lava flows reaching the ocean floor. The lava rolls out of these fissures cooling and hardening into new crust. This new crust however is soon broken open by new