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Submarine Geomorphology: Submarine Landscapes and Processes

Federico García Lorca

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Published in Submarine Geomorphology (Springer Geology)

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Submarine Geomorphology (Springer Geology)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	36093 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	939 pages

Submarine geomorphology is the study of the morphology and processes that shape the seafloor. It is a relatively new field, with most of the research being conducted in the last 50 years. However, it has rapidly become an important field of study, as it has provided insights into the Earth's history, the evolution of the oceans, and the processes that shape the coastal environment.

Submarine geomorphology is a multidisciplinary field, drawing on a variety of disciplines, including geology, oceanography, geophysics, and engineering. It uses a variety of techniques to study the seafloor, including sonar, seismic, and magnetic surveys, as well as direct observation using submersibles and ROVs.

Submarine geomorphology has a wide range of applications, including:

* Hazard assessment: Submarine geomorphology can be used to identify areas that are at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis, and other hazards. * Resource management: Submarine geomorphology can be used to identify areas that are rich in minerals and other resources. * Environmental management: Submarine geomorphology can be used to assess the impacts of human activities on the coastal environment. * Engineering and construction: Submarine geomorphology can be used to design and construct structures in the coastal environment.

Submarine Landscapes

The seafloor is a diverse and complex landscape, with a wide range of features, including:

* Continental shelves: Continental shelves are gently sloping areas that extend from the coast to the continental slope. They are typically covered in sediment and are home to a variety of marine life. * Continental slopes: Continental slopes are steep slopes that connect the continental shelf to the deep ocean. They are often covered in canyons and other erosional features. * Deep-sea plains: Deep-sea plains are flat, featureless areas of the seafloor that are found in the deep ocean. They are typically covered in sediment and are home to a variety of marine life. * Seamounts: Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise from the seafloor but do not reach the surface of the ocean. They are typically volcanic in origin and are often home to a variety of marine life. * Trenches: Trenches are deep, narrow valleys that are found in the deep ocean. They are typically formed by the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another.

Submarine Processes

The seafloor is shaped by a variety of processes, including:

* Erosion: Erosion is the process of wearing away the seafloor by waves, currents, and other forces. * Deposition: Deposition is the process of depositing sediment on the seafloor. * Tectonics: Tectonics is the process of moving the Earth's crust. It can create features such as seamounts, trenches, and continental shelves. * Volcanism: Volcanism is the process of erupting lava and ash from the Earth's interior. It can create features such as seamounts and volcanic islands.

Applications of Submarine Geomorphology

Submarine geomorphology has a wide range of applications, including:

* Hazard assessment: Submarine geomorphology can be used to identify areas that are at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis, and other hazards. For example, submarine geomorphologists can use sonar to map the seafloor and identify areas that are likely to be affected by earthquakes. * Resource management: Submarine geomorphology can be used to identify areas that are rich in minerals and other resources. For example, submarine geomorphologists can use seismic surveys to identify areas that are likely to contain oil and gas reserves. * Environmental management: Submarine geomorphology can be used to assess the impacts of human activities on the coastal environment. For example, submarine geomorphologists can use

Submarine Geomorphology (Springer Geology)

5 out of 5