Science NIE ACTIVITY Science Matters!

is a series presented in

MATTERS!
collaboration with the Connecticut Academy of
Science and Engineering and the Connecticut
Science Center.
For more information, visit www.ctcase.org
… IN CONNECTICUT or call 860.571-7143.

Meet the Scientist:

Marine Geology I was always interested in science and mechanics (butterflies,
rocks and minerals, dinosaurs, the planets, taking things apart
or fixing them). I had great Earth Science teachers in middle and
high school, and my aunt, who loved trees and flowers. I spent
Written by: Ralph Lewis, Professor in Residence (ret.), Marine Sciences, UCONN lots of time outdoors with her. Because of that, I went to college
As a Marine Geologist, I have spent much of my career studying the geology thinking I would be a biology major. Remembering my Earth
of Long Island Sound and coastal Connecticut. During the past two years, I Science teachers, I took a geology course my sophomore year
have been working to map the offshore glacial geology of Massachusetts. One and I was hooked. I am retired now, but I do a bit of teaching
obvious problem with mapping underwater geology is that it is harder to see at Connecticut College and UCONN Avery Point. I like to travel
and take samples than one would do on land. The water is in the way! “Seeing” and I volunteer at Dinosaur State Park. Photo: A young RSL entering a
research submersible.
through the water and onto or into the sea floor requires specialized equipment
that uses reflected sound (acoustic imaging). Skills and Knowledge
Scientists who want to obtain information about the geology below the sea To be a Marine Geologist, you need an inquiring mind with the ability to piece things
floor use seismic reflection profiling systems that send sound into the sea floor. together with only partial evidence. It is a bit like detective work. It is also important to have
When this sound is reflected back, an image of geologic features is produced good written and oral communication skills and, of course, a love of being on the water! A
(much as an ultrasound makes images inside the human body using sound). bachelor’s degree in geology provides a good overall background, followed by a master’s
These “seismic” images are interpreted with the help of physical samples, such or doctoral degree in marine geology. Marine Geologists need to build up experience in
as cores (much like a doctor would sample something on an ultrasound image field data collection. It also helps to have a knowledge of electronics and to be a decent
by doing a biopsy). mechanic (in case equipment needs fixing!).
Marine Geologists study the geology of coastal water bodies to learn how
they formed and what natural resources (both living and non-living) they contain.
This aids us in understanding the geologic processes that are at work, and how
these processes shape the plant and animal communities that inhabit places like
Long Island Sound. That understanding helps us to make good decisions about
the management of these resources (e.g. critical habitat designations) or the
suitability of proposed human activities (pipelines, dredging, etc.).
WORDS TO KNOW
Geology - The scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of the Earth.
Marine Geology - The branch of geology dealing with the rocks, sediments,
and processes of the floors and margins of the oceans.
Acoustic Imaging - Use of sound to reflect off objects in order to create an
image of them.
Seismic Reflection - Use of reflected seismic waves (waves that travel through
the earth) to produce images of the Earth's subsurface.
Ultrasound - Use of sound waves to create images from inside the human body.
Biopsy - A test used to examine tissue or cells from a part of the body, by
cutting or scraping a small piece of the tissue or by withdrawing a sample with
a needle and syringe.

Hyperlinks:
For more information on the geology of Long Island Sound, acoustic data
Photo: Sidescan sonar image of two ships that collided and sank to the sea bottom. The shipwrecks are seen on the left side of
the image (left of the black center line). Some spilled cargo can be seen around the wrecks. To the right side of the research ship
collection techniques, and to take an underwater tour go to:
(right of the black center line) there are no wrecks only a muddy sea floor (uniform grey color). (http://www.lisrc.uconn.edu).
For more information on marine geologic investigations by the USGS go to:
Next Page: - June 7th (http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/index.html) and
http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2006/3042/