The Oceans

"[An] absorbing survey of oceanography . . . [this] elegant study is an excellent resource."shy;shy;Publishers WeeklyA fascinating examination of the earth's oceansThis exhaustive overview of oceanography captures the excitement of discovery in the making.The Oceansopens up the world of ocean science to the general reader and raises significant questions about the future of the ancient, nurturing ocean itself.The oceans cover more than 70 percent of the globe, yet less than 5 percent of that expanse has been explored. But, as Drs. Prager and Earle show in this vivid survey of ocean research, our knowledge is suddenly accelerating: various dives, soundings, computer analyses, and other probes are uncovering amazing facts about the 142 million square miles beneath the seas.

Ellen J. Prager, Ph.D., (Miami, FL) formerly with the U.S. Geological Survey, is a fellow of the Explorers Club. Well published in both scientific journals and general-interest magazines, she recently edited the book Furious Earth. Sylvia A. Earle, Ph.D., (Oakland, CA) named a "Hero of the Planet" by Time, is currently chair of Deep Ocean Exploration and Research as well as Explorer-in-Residence at the National Geographic Society. She was the first woman to serve as chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Foreword: The Oceans: Cornerstones of Life

ix

Sylvia A. Earle

Preface

xvii

Oceans of the Past

Evolution's Drama

3

(6)

The Earth and the Ocean Are Born

9

(4)

Life Begins

13

(10)

The Paleozoic Era: Life Blooms in the Sea

23

(14)

The Mesozoic Era: A Midlife Crisis

37

(10)

The Cenozoic Era: Modern Life

47

(18)

The Seas of Today

The Science of the Sea Begins

65

(8)

The Physical and Chemical Ocean

73

(42)

Sea Salts and Water

73

(5)

The Ocean in Motion

78

(22)

Water's Waves

100

(9)

The Rhythm of the Tides

109

(6)

Oceans and Climate

115

(26)

Hurricanes

116

(6)

Monsoons

122

(1)

El Nino

123

(7)

Global Warming

130

(5)

The Yo-Yoing of Sea Level

135

(6)

The Geological Ocean

141

(46)

Plate Tectonics Discovered

142

(6)

Understanding Plate Tectonics

148

(14)

Seafloor Topography

162

(3)

Ocean Sediment and Rock

165

(19)

Unlocking the Secrets of a Deep-Sea Core

184

(3)

The Biological Ocean

187

(80)

Life's Diversity in the Sea

189

(1)

The Drifters

190

(16)

The Swimmers

206

(36)

The Bottom Dwellers

242

(17)

Limiting Life in the Sea

259

(2)

Algae Blooms

261

(6)

A Once-Bountiful Sea

267

(20)

Florida Keys, More Than Thirty Years Ago

268

(2)

Florida Keys, In the Year 2000

270

(8)

Issues in Marine Policy

278

(9)

Waves of the Future

Frontiers of Ocean Science

287

(6)

Looking Back to Look Ahead

293

(6)

Sylvia A. Earle

Sources and Suggested Readings

299

(8)

Index

307

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials