VI Preface
for the elementary facts and concepts of marine geology, especially as
they apply to processes within hydrosphere and atmosphere.
In what follows, we shall first give a brief overview of the effects
of endogenic forces on the morphology of the sea floor. Several excellent summaries for the general reader are available for this topic,
which is closely linked to the theory of continental drift, and has been
a focus of geologic discussion for the last three decades. For the rest,
we shall emphasize the exogenic processes, which determine the
physical, chemical, and biological environment on the sea floor, and
which are especially relevant to the intelligent use of the ocean and to
an understanding of its role in the evolution of climate and life.
The results and ideas we report on are the product of the arduous
labors of many dedicated marine geologists. We introduce some particularly distinguished scientists by portrait (Fig. 0.1). Of course, there
are many more, and most of them are alive today. We have occasionally mentioned the authors of important contributions. However, we
did not find it possible in a book like this to give credit systematically
where it is due. We sincerely apologize to our colleagues for this
unscholarly attitude, citing necessity in defense. For those who wish to
pursue the subjects discussed in greater depth, we append suggested
readings at the end of each chapter, as well as a list of key references.
For this second edition, we have extensively rewritten those parts of
the first edition where substantial and fundamental progress has occurred in the fields of interest. Also, we have incorporated many of the
suggestions for improvements that were communicated to us by several colleagues and reviewers. There are, however, limitations to the
scope of subjects that can be treated in a short introduction such as
this: we attempted neither a balanced nor an encyclopedic survey of all
of marine geology with its many ramifications. We tried to keep highly
technical information to a minimum, relegating certain necessary details to the Appendix.
Both authors wish to express their profound gratitude to collaborators and students who, over the years, have shared the excitement of
discovery and the toil of research on numerous expeditions and in the
laboratory. We also owe special thanks to the colleagues who helped
us put this book together, by sending reprints and figures, or by offering advice.
Freiburg and La Jolla, Spring 1993
E. Seibold
W H. Berger
for the elementary facts and concepts of marine geology, especially as
they apply to processes within hydrosphere and atmosphere.
In what follows, we shall first give a brief overview of the effects
of endogenic forces on the morphology of the sea floor. Several excellent summaries for the general reader are available for this topic,
which is closely linked to the theory of continental drift, and has been
a focus of geologic discussion for the last three decades. For the rest,
we shall emphasize the exogenic processes, which determine the
physical, chemical, and biological environment on the sea floor, and
which are especially relevant to the intelligent use of the ocean and to
an understanding of its role in the evolution of climate and life.
The results and ideas we report on are the product of the arduous
labors of many dedicated marine geologists. We introduce some particularly distinguished scientists by portrait (Fig. 0.1). Of course, there
are many more, and most of them are alive today. We have occasionally mentioned the authors of important contributions. However, we
did not find it possible in a book like this to give credit systematically
where it is due. We sincerely apologize to our colleagues for this
unscholarly attitude, citing necessity in defense. For those who wish to
pursue the subjects discussed in greater depth, we append suggested
readings at the end of each chapter, as well as a list of key references.
For this second edition, we have extensively rewritten those parts of
the first edition where substantial and fundamental progress has occurred in the fields of interest. Also, we have incorporated many of the
suggestions for improvements that were communicated to us by several colleagues and reviewers. There are, however, limitations to the
scope of subjects that can be treated in a short introduction such as
this: we attempted neither a balanced nor an encyclopedic survey of all
of marine geology with its many ramifications. We tried to keep highly
technical information to a minimum, relegating certain necessary details to the Appendix.
Both authors wish to express their profound gratitude to collaborators and students who, over the years, have shared the excitement of
discovery and the toil of research on numerous expeditions and in the
laboratory. We also owe special thanks to the colleagues who helped
us put this book together, by sending reprints and figures, or by offering advice.
Freiburg and La Jolla, Spring 1993
E. Seibold
W H. Berger