The Earth’s surface is 70 percent ocean, and there’s still much to discover—not just in the water itself, but on, and beneath, the seafloor. Let’s dive in to the exciting ways we’re exploring oceanic crust!
PLUS: Insider info and ways to make a splash at the upcoming IMAGE ’24 meeting! Sorry, there are just so many opportunities for water puns.
Exploring Underwater Tectonics
Hoiseung Jung/ Shutterstock.com
Whether you’re conducting groundbreaking research, or just looking for a unique vacation activity, exploring underwater plate boundaries is exciting!
Deep sea core discovery:
Researchers recently drilled the longest-ever core sample of Earth's mantle, reaching a depth of 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) beneath the Atlantic Ocean floor. Their findings were published this week in Science.
Aboard the research vessel JOIDES Resolution, the crew traveled out to the Lost City Hydrothermal Field on the Atlantis Massif, an underwater dome flanking the Mid-Atlantic Ridge some 2,300 miles off the coast of Florida.
The core contained serpentinized peridotite, formed by mantle rocks interacting with seawater.
Inspiring adventure:
Discoveries like these highlight humanity's relentless quest to explore the depths of our planet. This spirit of discovery isn't limited to scientists… it extends to adventurers who seek to immerse themselves in Earth's geological wonders.
This exploration is brought to life at the Silfra Fissure in Iceland’s Thingvellir National Park, where the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is not just visible, but also totally explorable underwater.
Like the core discovery, diving in Silfra provides a clear view of tectonic processes, with visibility often exceeding 100 meters in the fissure’s pristine glacial freshwater.
Go deeper (😀 get it?):
Learn more about the recent core discovery in thisNature article, featuring quotes from John Lissenberg, Cardiff University petrologist and lead researcher on the project.
Get the scoop on the Silfra diving experience, including the tectonic forces at play, as well as the splendor—and hazards—of this thrilling tourist activity.
Curious about deep ocean processes and features? Check out this educational hub from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. If you’re an educator, there are also some incredible teaching resources there, too!
Ready for IMAGE ’24?
The International Meeting for Applied Geoscience and Energy, hosted by AAPG and SEG, in conjunction with SEPM, is happening in less than two weeks! Learn more and register here.
What is IMAGE?
IMAGE is an annual convention for geoscientists in the energy sector and is attended by thousands of professionals and students from all around the world!
This year’s theme is ‘Your Global Passport to Energy’ and it’s sure to deliver with more than 1,200 talks and sessions, 250 exhibitors, and no shortage of fun ways to immerse yourself in geoscience.
Attend free:
Explore the exhibition floor for free with an Exhibitor Guest Pass! You’ll have access to the various booths, poster sessions, receptions, and networking events. Use priority code GP24IMG and select AAPG as your host organization during check out.
Things to do:
Learn about new research and technological advancements, attend sessions and panels, grab some swag on the exhibit floor, and check out the Back to the Future-themed Society Square!
New this year is the Geothermal Hub, an area featuring educational presentations, panels, and academic and career information for this exciting sector in renewable energy.
Networking opportunities abound at IMAGE’24. Whether you’re on the exhibit floor, browsing posters, or attending networking events, you’re sure to make connections!
Highlights from IMAGE ’23:
Last year was my first IMAGE, and I had a blast! I made the absolute most out of it by attending every event I could, meeting tons of new people, and enjoying everything the convention had to offer.
From seeing presentations on meaningful projects, to playing with new modeling software and riding an animatronic dinosaur at Society Square, I was constantly learning and having a blast!
Download the IMAGE Events app ahead of time to plan out your experience—and ensure you don’t get lost in the MASSIVE convention center. Find it here for Apple and Android devices.
Let loose and have fun! Conventions like these are meant to be places of opportunity, but they are also a great way for professionals to relax among their peers.
Happy Thursday, and thank you for reading this week’s GeoLifestyle!
Just so you know, geoscience conventions aren’t the only ones I love attending… This weekend I’m headed to a comic convention where I’ll hunt down some inspiration for next week’s edition. Did you know there are LOADS of geology references in comic books? Shoot, look at The Thing! Stay tuned 😋
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