SOME PHASES OF MODERN DEEP-SEA OCEANOGRAPHY 



WITH A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT AND METHODS OF THE 

 NEWLY FORMED WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION ^ 



By C. O'D. ISELIN, II 



[With 4 plates] 



Until recent years physical oceanography was too frequently con- 

 sidered a branch of science having little importance except to those 

 interested in the ocean itself. This feeling perhaps resulted from 

 the fact that on the earlier expeditions the main emphasis was placed 

 on marine biology, and physical observations were first made mainly 

 with the purpose of exploring the environment of marine plants 

 and animals. Later there developed the necessity of studying the 

 ocean currents and their influence in the transportation of sea life. 

 As a result the physical oceanographer came to be thought of as 

 one who charted the various physical characteristics of the ocean 

 and who had as his ultimate goal the understanding of oceanic 

 circulation. 



At the present time, however, it is becoming increasingly evident 

 that several other branches of science must turn to the sea, and 

 therefore to the oceanographers, for help, for only in oceanography 

 can be found the men and equipment for the investigation of the 

 ocean and the problems related to it. Let us briefly consider some 

 examples in which the oceanographer can do important work outside 

 the original conception of his field. 



In the first place, geology is naturally much concerned with the 

 ocean basins. Have they been permanent features on the earth's 

 surface, or in the past has there been dry land where now the chart 

 shows one or more thousand fathoms of water? Convincing proof 

 that will settle this problem one way or another can perhaps be 

 brought to light by the oceanographer. A careful study of marine 

 deposits might point to former land bridges between the continents 

 in such a way that they could be accurately located and even dated, 

 much to the satisfaction of all students of the geographic distribu- 

 tion of modern plants and animals, as well as to geologists. Perhaps 

 a less spectacular problem is that of the formation of continental 



* Contribution No. 14, of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. 



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