PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE 



97 



A seismic reflection profile across an abyssal plain in the western Mediter- 

 ranean Sea shows a large number of apparent diaperic structures. They are 

 known to be non-magnetic and they may be salt domes. Deep-drilling programs 

 can be valuable in the further study of the features. 



and it is obviously an important field to deep-sea technology, 

 particularly for bottom-mounted installations. 



The study of 10- to 20-meter long core samples should continue, 

 but it is also urgent that scientists interested in naval problems 

 study the long cores anticipated in the Joint Oceanographic 

 Institutions Deep Earth Sample (JOIDES) program supported by 

 the NSF. Down-hole measurements would also greatly advance 

 understanding of sedimentary processes and the acoustical arts. 



CRUSTAL AND SUBCRUSTAL STUDIES 



The early measurements of the thickness and physical prop- 

 erties of the crust and shallow mantle in oceanic provinces were 

 obtained in large part through Navy support. This field of in- 

 vestigation has considerably broader support today, but the 

 Navy's interest continues because of the importance of these 

 deeper acoustic paths. Very much more information is needed, 

 requiring measurements with improved resolution, to obtain 

 a more complete understanding of the ocean environment. 

 The future studies should be made in many of the geographic 

 areas not yet investigated; but more so, they should take ad- 

 vantage of the developing new instruments to make better 

 measurements and the improvement of methods for analyzing 



