| A | B |
|---|
| oceanography | study of the ocean, including all its geological, chemical, physical, and biological aspects |
| physical oceanography | study of the physical properties of the ocean, such as temperature, depth, and waves and currents |
| geological oceanography | study of the shape, composition, and evolution of the seafloor and its sediments |
| chemical oceanography | study of the origin and composition of seawater and the relationship between its compounds |
| biological oceanography | study of the distribution, abundance and life history of the ocean's organisms |
| ocean engineering | design and construction of oceanic structures, instruments, and ships |
| marine policy | the theory and practice of laws and economics as they pertain to ocean transportation, pollution, and resources |
| global conveyor belt | inter-relationship of all ocean through warm, surface currents and cold, deep water currents |
| ocean | an immense body of saltwater with a well-defined basin |
| sonar | sound and navigation ranging; scientific tool used for bathymetric measurements |
| bathymetry | study of the depth and topography of the ocean floor |
| continental shelf | gently sloping, submerged surface of the continent extending from the shoreline; economically important for their resources |
| continental slope | narrow feature with a steep slope that marks the boundary between the continental crust and the oceanic crust |
| continental rise | gradual incline that marks the end of the continental slope and merges into the abyssal plain |
| submarine canyon | deep, steep-sided valleys cut into the continental slope by turbidity currents |
| turbidity current | occasional movements of dense, sediment-rich water created when sand and mud on the continental shelf is disturbed |
| abyssal plain | deep, extremely flat features formed by thick accumulations of fine sediment |
| seamount | submerged volcanic peaks that have not yet reached the ocean surface |
| guyot | once active, now submerged, flat-topped volcanic islands |
| hydrothermal vent | cracks in the ocean floor, particularly near mid-ocean ridge systems, where hot, mineral-rich water escapes |
| sounding | method of determining depth of oceans using knotted ropes |
