Prehistoric Oceans
In the Precambrian period, this event dramatically altered ocean chemistry by filling the water will dissolved oxygen, causing a major shift in marine ecosystems.
What is the Great Oxygenation Event?
The approximate percentage of all species that have ever existed on Earth that are now extinct
What is 99%?
This expedition is considered the foundation of modern oceanography
What is the H.M.S. Challenger expedition?
The primary purpose of this branch of science is to study the depth and terrain of the ocean floor.
What is bathymetry?
The process by which molten material adds new oceanic crust to the ocean floor
What is seafloor spreading?
During this time period, prokaryotes and other single-celled organisms dominated
What is the Precambrian period?
The largest mass extinction event that killed 90% of marine species 250 MYA
What is the Permian Extinction?
This ocean exploration event was a direct result of technological advances during World War II.
What is the development of remote operated vehicles (ROVs)?
Located in the Mariana Trench, this the deepest known point in the ocean
What is the Challenger Deep?
The amount of energy that is typically transferred from one trophic level to the next
What is 10%?
Marine mammals first appeared during this period
What is the Cenozoic Era?
This term describes the slow rate of a species disappearing.
What is background extinction?
In the first marine survey of the Americas in 1872, this many marine species were catalogued
What is over 30,000?
This project's goal is to map the entire ocean floor by the year 2030
What is Seafloor 2030?
This submerged mountain range acts as a navigational landmark to marine animals during migration.
What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
The first vertebrates, fish, sharks, and amphibians all appeared during this time period
What is the Paleozoic Era?
DAILY DOUBLE! This concept describes the evolutionary phenomenon in which species undergo long periods of stasis interrupted by rapid change
What is punctuated equilibrium?
This individual's voyages in the 1770s were the first expeditions devoted to scientific oceanography
Who is James Cook?
These three factors can disrupt a sound wave's path underwater
What are temperature, salinity, and pressure?
This individual introduced the first practical SCUBA system in 1943.
Who is Jacques Cousteau?
These animals dominated the Mesozoic Era
What are reptiles?
This fish was thought to be extinct for millions of years but was discovered again during the 20th century
What is the coelacanth?
Ben Franklin discovered this strong ocean current, critically important for navigation
What is the Gulf Stream?
This tool provides angular resolution for more accurate mapping
What is a multibeam echo sounder?
The first plans for this ocean technology were drawn up in the early 1600s
What are submarines?