Oceanography
Study of seas
Oceanography is the scientific study of the oceans—their physical properties, chemical composition, biology, and geology.
The field encompasses everything from ocean currents and tides to marine ecosystems and seafloor topography.
She earned her degree in oceanography and now studies coral reef decline.
Periodic sea-level changes
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
- tsunamisEarthquake-generated ocean waves
- El NinoClimate-disrupting ocean warming
La Nina · gyres · Gulf Stream · upwelling · downwelling · eddies · storm surge · rogue waves
Study of ocean systems
- hydrographyStudy of water bodies
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- bathymetrySubaqueous topographical measurement
- thermoclineRapid temperature-change layer
sedimentology · biogeochemistry · climatology · hydrology · limnology · meteorology · geoscience · earth science
Study of sea organisms
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- kelp forestSeaweed-dominated underwater ecosystem
- hydrothermal ventOcean floor hot spring
- phytoplanktonPhotosynthetic aquatic drifters
zooplankton · bioluminescence · food web · biodiversity · fish populations · whale migration · seagrass · mangrove
Underwater exploration vehicle
- ROVPiloted-from-above underwater craft
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- deep-sea divingUnderwater exploration at extreme depths
- research vesselShip for scientific investigation
bathyscaphe · Alvin · Trieste · Jacques Cousteau · NOAA · expedition · discovery · sampling
One studying sea environments
- researcherOne who studies systematically
- professorSenior university teacher
- PhDHighest academic credential
- fieldworkResearch conducted on location
laboratory · data analysis · academic journal · peer review · grant writing · conference · graduate program · thesis
tides
Periodic sea-level changes
- currentsDirectional flows of movement
- wavesTraveling energy disturbances
- tsunamisEarthquake-generated ocean waves
El Nino · La Nina · gyres · Gulf Stream · upwelling · downwelling · eddies · storm surge · rogue waves · turbulence
marine science
Study of ocean systems
- hydrographyStudy of water bodies
- salinityDissolved mineral concentration
- bathymetrySubaqueous topographical measurement
thermocline · sedimentology · biogeochemistry · climatology · hydrology · limnology · meteorology · geoscience · earth science · environmental science
marine biology
Study of sea organisms
- coral reefCalcium carbonate marine ecosystem
- kelp forestSeaweed-dominated underwater ecosystem
- hydrothermal ventOcean floor hot spring
phytoplankton · zooplankton · bioluminescence · food web · biodiversity · fish populations · whale migration · seagrass · mangrove · estuary
submersible
Underwater exploration vehicle
- ROVPiloted-from-above underwater craft
- sonarUnderwater detection by echoes
- deep-sea divingUnderwater exploration at extreme depths
research vessel · bathyscaphe · Alvin · Trieste · Jacques Cousteau · NOAA · expedition · discovery · sampling · dredging
marine scientist
One studying sea environments
- researcherOne who studies systematically
- professorSenior university teacher
- PhDHighest academic credential
fieldwork · laboratory · data analysis · academic journal · peer review · grant writing · conference · graduate program · thesis · publication
- UWHuskies, Red Square, purple
Oceanographyatmospheric science
Study of Earth's atmosphere
meteorology · limnology · geology · astronomy · space science