Sounding the Sea; A Study in Bathymetric Mapping

1.) How can ocean floor features be measured and mapped using current acoustical technology? How can ocean floor maps be used in the commercial, military, and/or private sector?
To map the ocean floors you use the Bathymetric Mapping technique as well as the sonar stick. These two types of equipment help make it possible to map the floor and observe it. As for the commercial, military, and/or private sector they use a sonar stick that shoots sound vibrations down into the ocean to measure the ocean floor.
2.) A flat abyssal plain is when plate tectonics move and sediments fall to the ocean floor making it smooth and flat: ( http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070213213211AAVLLJf )
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https://ishtarc.wikispaces.com/file/view/AbyssalPlain.jpg/116248191/384x231/AbyssalPlain.jpg

An underwater seamount or guyot is a flat volcano that is isolated on the ocean floor. It has a flat top that raises from the ground. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guyot)

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a4/Bear_Seamount_guyot.jpg)
A submarine canyon on the continental shelf is like a canyon under water. It goes onto the continental shelf and sometimes even leads into rivers. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_canyon)

(http://www.dkimages.com/discover/Projects/KA620/previews/20117924.JPG)
3.)
1.)Based on your seafloor model provide a description of the topography of your surveyed area.
Based on the seafloor model we made, it was often flat and consisted around the same depth throughout the box. Some spots were very low, but the majority of the box was consistent and didn't have much holes or mountains.
2.) What are the advantages of using remote sensing technology for your survey instead of direct observation?
We are able to make a more specific observation of how deep the ocean is with the sonar stick. Because with just observation from our eyes can give us the wrong impression of how deep the ocean is, therefore it is very important to use tools such as the sonar stick to give us correct measurements.
3.)What is the advantage of using vertical exaggeration in constructing your profiles of the seafloor?
It gave us more of the understanding of the sea floor. It allowed us to see how the floor blends into things such as a flat abyssal plain and other underwater floor features.
4.) Write two new research questions based on what you have learned from this activity:
           1.) What is the main cause of the ocean floor features?
           2.) If plate tectonics didn't exist, would continents still move?
5.) What was the value and importance of this activity to your study of science?
It was very important to learn why certain underwater features exist and how they form. It's also nice to know how scientists know the exact measurements for how deep the ocean is for certain spots. It's interesting to know that they use sound to help measure that.

Pangea: "The Dancing of the Continents"

This map above is Pangea. Through the activity of the "Dancing of the Continents", I was able to observe where each continent was located and how each of the land formations connected to each other. I learned how they connected and what caused them to split apart. Such as the Theory of Continental Drift. The continents automatically drift because the ocean floor isn't that strong and able to hold the continents still, therefore they moved. Another theory, Theory of Seafloor Spreading, the molten magma causes the plates to push apart, expanding the the ooze causing the continents to move once again. The other theory is Theory of Plate Tectonics. This theory is that there are six plates that push against one another shoving and drifting apart, pulling the continents with it.

Scientists of different disciplines come together observing their different studies to help conclude these theories. They are able to observe the way of the ocean through similar studies, working together to conclude why the continents drift. Each of them have a specific study such as Physicists and oceanographers. Together they can make conclusions with their knowledge of the certain subject which in this case happens to be why Pangea broke apart.

Memorandum

Assignment: "You are a biological oceanographer studying and documenting the breeding habits of a clam that lives in a depth range of 40 to 140 meters. The clams are found only in the South Pacific about seven days sailing from the closest port. The breeding cycle takes place nightly and lasts 4 to 6 hours."

To conduct this experiment, I would first find a group of fellow biological oceanographers willing to help orchestrate the experiment. We would have multiple fundraisers to help raise money for the mission as well as donate personal money to help move the project along. The first step would to talk with the other biological oceanographers about what exactly we want to discover about the breeding habits of a clam to make the time spent under the water worth it. After we discussed the plan, we would build the submersible. The main thing we would need is a room made entirely up of glass for the oceanographers to observe the clams easily. In that room would be cameras to film the process of the breeding habits as well as tables to conduct lab experiments. Through out the submersible would be obvious necessities such as a bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, and a room to enter and exit the submersible. We would all buy the proper equipment to purchase technology useful to conduct and make this mission easier. The submersible would be made strong enough and well built to withstand being under what at 140 meters.