Marie Tharp Maps The Mountains Under The Sea

Marie Tharp was a pioneering geologist and oceanographer who played a pivotal role in the discovery of the mid-ocean ridge and the theory of plate tectonics. Her work revolutionized our understanding of the ocean floor and helped to shape our understanding of the Earth's history.

Marie's Ocean: Marie Tharp Maps the Mountains Under the Sea

by Josie James

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	38790 KB
Print length	:	48 pages

FREE

Early Life and Education

Marie Tharp was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1920. She grew up in a family of geologists, and she developed a passion for science at a young age.

Tharp attended the University of Michigan, where she earned a degree in geology. After graduating, she worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as a cartographer.

Career at the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory

In 1948, Tharp joined the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, a research institution in Palisades, New York. At Lamont, she met Bruce Heezen, a young geologist who shared her passion for oceanography.

Heezen and Tharp began collaborating on a project to map the ocean floor. They compiled data from echo sounders, which measure the depth of the water, and used it to create detailed maps of the ocean floor.

In the early 1950s, Tharp and Heezen made a startling discovery. They found a long, narrow ridge running down the center of the Atlantic Ocean. This ridge was the mid-ocean ridge, a major topographic feature that had never been seen before.

The discovery of the mid-ocean ridge was a major breakthrough in oceanography. It led to the development of the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how the Earth's crust is divided into plates that move around the Earth's surface.

Tharp and Heezen continued to collaborate on ocean floor mapping projects for many years. They produced a series of maps that provided the first detailed view of the ocean floor.

Later Years

Tharp retired from the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory in 1983. She continued to work on her maps and published a book about her work, "Mapping the Ocean Floor."

Tharp died in 2006 at the age of 86. She is remembered as one of the most important figures in the history of oceanography.

Legacy

Marie Tharp's work revolutionized our understanding of the ocean floor and helped to shape our understanding of the Earth's history. She was a pioneer in the field of oceanography, and her legacy continues to inspire scientists today.

Here are some of Tharp's most notable achievements:

• Discovered the mid-ocean ridge, a major topographic feature that runs down the center of the Atlantic Ocean.
• Helped to develop the theory of plate tectonics, which explains how the Earth's crust is divided into plates that move around the Earth's surface.
• Produced a series of maps that provided the first detailed view of the ocean floor.

Tharp's work is still used by scientists today. Her maps are a valuable resource for understanding the ocean floor and the Earth's history.

Marie Tharp was a brilliant scientist and a pioneer in the field of oceanography. Her work has had a profound impact on our understanding of the Earth's history, and her legacy will continue to inspire scientists for generations to come.

Marie's Ocean: Marie Tharp Maps the Mountains Under the Sea

by Josie James

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	38790 KB
Print length	:	48 pages

FREE