The marine geology and geophysics option within the School of Oceanography is complemented on campus by strong departments in Geological Sciences and solid earth Geophysics, Mathematics, applied Mathematics, and Engineering. Basic courses in Oceanography and these related programs set the stage for advanced specialized course offerings. There is strong emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches reflected in course offerings and research. A unique component of our program is UW-funded access to our 274-foot research vessel, the R/V Thomas G. Thompson, for sea-going classes and exploratory research.

Mid-Ocean Ridge Processes

The School of Oceanography's proximity to the Juan de Fuca/Gorda Ridge system and Cascadia subduction zone provides ready access to an ideal natural laboratory for study of the active components of a geological plate. This local focus is complemented by additional work along the global mid-ocean ridge.

Key among the processes operating in the ridge environment are the flow of energy and materials from the Earth's interior to its surface, the interaction of this flow with a subsurface biosphere of unknown extent and character, and the effect of this flow on the global ocean. Research interests of marine geology and geophysics faculty span mantle circulation, magma genesis and crustal formation, hydrothermal circulation, conditions of water-rock reaction, and measures of energy and material flow. There is broad interdisciplinary interest within vent environments and a special focus on advancing our knowledge of the sub-seafloor biosphere. An exciting new thrust is the idea that seafloor hydrothermal systems may serve as an analog that can help to shape the search for microbial life on other water-bearing bodies in our solar system, one of the themes of the UW Astrobiology Program.

Withing the School of Oceanography excellent facilities are available for studies of mid-ocean ridge processes. These include the multibeam echo sounder Hydrosweep, a deep-tow magnetometer system, a paleomagnetic laboratory, diverse deep-sea insturment systems, and extensive computing facilities. Research conducted by faculty and students in marine geology and geophysics employs the R/V Thomas G. Thompson and other vessels in the academic fleet, as well as human occupied, remotely operated, and autonomous deep submergence vehicles. Our faculy members are involved in numerous large research programs, including Ridge Interdisciplinary Global Experiments (RIDGE) and the Ocean Drilling Project (ODP).

An agressive program is underway aimed at establishing sensor arrays designed to recover continuous time-series of seismological, hydrothermal, and volcanological data from the actively spreading ridge crests of the Northeast Pacific. These arrays would be linked by a cabled network spanning the Juan de Fuca Plate and providing digital communication and power to a wide variety of experiments and observational systems relevant to understanding geological processes and oceanic phenomena.

Marine Sediment Dynamics

The study of marine sediment dynamics focuses on the processes of sediment transport and accumulation. In the marine environment numerous mechanisms and processes occur that must be considered. These include phenomena such as interactions between waves and currents, particle aggregation, and seabed modification by benthic organisms. Thus, a strong interdisciplinary program is designed which, depending on a student's interests, includes physics, biology and chemistry, in addition to basic courses in geology and geophysics.

Sedimentological research in the School of Oceanography includes field studies in a wide range of coastal environments, and numerous laboratory and numerical studies. In addition to individual research projects, these include participation in major cooperative programs such as surf-zone suspended-sediment transport (SANDY DUCK), sedimentation on temperate continental shelves (STRATAFORM), and interdisciplinary sedimentary studies in tropical environments (TROPICS).

Among the resources available to students pursuing sediment transport research is the flow-tank facility at the world-renowned Friday Harbor Laboratories. This is designed to look at interactions among near-bottom flows, sediments and organisms. In addition, an instrument development laboratory is available with a long history of design and engineering support for sedimentological research projects. A broad range of equipment is available for laboratory and field studies.

Prospective students interested in one or more of these active research programs will find the University of Washington a very stimulating place for interdisciplinary studies. Attesting to the quality of our research and academic programs, all recent Ph.D. graduates from the School's Marine Geology and Geophysics program have found employment in universities, government laboratories, or industry. An important first step to ensuring success in graduate school is finding the right match of student's interest, instructional curriculum and faculty research expertise. We strongly encourage applicants to contact faculty members sharing their research interest.

Faculty Listing...(to be compiled via servlet from main faculty database.)