Roger Flood

Mapping Sea Floor

November 18th 2017

What does the ocean floor look like? Haven’t we found everything on the sea floor already? What is bathymetry? Meet with a Marine geologist and get the answer to those intriguing questions and much more. Discover that the ocean floor is not completely flat and has many interesting features, some of which are completely different from those on land.

 

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Credit:  IODP JRSO (https://iodp.tamu.edu/scienceops/gallery/exp339/week3/pages/057.htm)

Interviewing Roger

Where did you go to school?

I obtained my Ph.D in Massachusetts Institute of Technology/ Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

What is your area of research?

I am presently studying sedimentation processes and patterns in several marine and fresh water environments. I am particularly interested in the use of high-resolution methods, including geophysical techniques (side-scan sonar, seismic profiling, physical property analysis, and high-resolution bathymetry), photography, submersible studies and sediment analysis, to provide new insights into sedimentary processes.

Who or what inspired you to become involved in marine science?
What qualities do you think are important in order to become a scientist?
Why is your research topic important?

It is important to understand the structure and development of submarine fans and sediment drifts on the continental margin. Submarine fans contain much of the sediment eroded from continents during sea level lowstands and significant hydrocarbon reserves. Sediment drifts on continental margins collect sediment transported to the site by bottom currents. High sedimentation rates result in expanded climate records, and bedforms created by flowing waters contain a record of those flows.

What will you be bringing with you to the “meet with an Oceanographer” day?

I will bring Eco sounder, a device for determining the depth of the seabed or detecting objects in water by measuring the time taken for sound echoes to return to the listener.

What is the best advice you have for people interested in becoming involved in your field of research or in marine sciences?

What is your favorite ocean organism?

 

Want to learn more about Roger’s research, visit his webpage

Roger D. Flood