Discovering the deep : a photographic atlas of the seafloor and ocean crust

The deep oceans and global seafloor are truly Earth's last frontier. They remain largely unexplored, yet are critical to our survival on this planet. This magnificent, full-color volume transports you to bizarre landscapes hosting exotic life forms that rival the most imaginative science fiction. Starting with a historical summary of seafloor exploration and the developing technologies used to study this extreme environment, it then describes the distinctive geologic components of the Earth's ocean floor and the unusual biological communities found along the mid-ocean ridges. This is an indispensable reference for researchers, teachers, and students of marine science, and a visually stunning resource that will enlighten and intrigue oceanographers and enthusiasts alike. A suite of online resources, including photographs and video clips, combine with the book to provide fascinating insights into the hidden world of seafloor geology and biology using the latest deep-sea imaging and geological concepts. The Deep Oceans And Global Seafloor Are Truly Earth's Last Frontier: Largely Unexplored, Yet Critical To Our Survival On This Planet. This Magnificent, Full-color Volume Provides A Unique, Fascinating View Of Earth's Seafloor And Underlying Oceanic Crust, Beginning With A Historical Summary Of Seafloor Exploration And Its Developing Technologies. Later Chapters Discuss The Major Geological Components Of Earth's Crust And The Myriad Environments Along The Global Mid-ocean Ridges, Including Active Volcanoes, Rift Zones And Hydrothermal Vents - Earth's Most Extreme Environments. The Authors Present Simple Explanations Of How The Various Geological And Hydrothermal Features Of The Seafloor Are Formed Through Physical, Chemical And Biological Processes, And Also Describe The Life They Host. Supported By Online Visual And Teaching Resources, Including Video Clips And Images, This Book Forms An Indispensable Reference For Researchers, Teachers And Students Of Marine Geoscience, And A Visually Stunning Resource Which All Oceanographers And Enthusiasts Will Want On Their Bookshelves. Foreword / By Paul J. Fox -- Preface: New Views Of Earth From Below The Oceans -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Entering The Abyss : Oceanographic Technology -- 2. Earth Beneath The Sea -- 3. Diversity In Seafloor Spreading -- 4. Hydrothermal Vents -- 5. Submarine Volcanism : Fire Beneath The Sea -- 6. Dike Intrusion And Sheeted Dike Complexes -- 7. Gabbroic Rocks : Clues To Magmatic Processes -- 8. Peridotites : Windows Into Mantle Processes -- 9. Future Research. Jeffrey A. Karson, Syracuse University, Deborah S. Kelley, University Of Washington, Daniel J. Fornari, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Michael R. Perfit, University Of Florida, Timothy M. Shank, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 355-400) And Index. An indispensable reference for researchers and students of marine science, and a visually stunning resource that will enlighten and intrigue oceanographers and enthusiasts alike. Supplemented by online resources, this book provides fascinating insights into the hidden world of seafloor geology and biology using the latest deep-sea imaging and geological concepts.