The oceans are so large and our knowledge of them so limited that we sometimes think of the sea floor as a vast uniform wasteland. But modern oceanographic research is revealing that each part of the sea floor has its own characteristic features and is as distinct as the geologic and topographic provinces on land. The deep ocean floor holds the same fascination for us as unexplored mountain tops, jungles, or the surface of the moon and planets. And, since the oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, the ocean floor holds the key to much of the history and evolution of our earth. There are very few places in the depths of the ocean that have been explored and studied directly by man, and to which man can relate in the way he relates to the earth on land. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift valley, studied during Project FAMOUS, is one of these places.

The oceans are so large and our knowledge of them so limited that we sometimes think of the sea floor as a vast uniform wasteland. But modern oceanographic research is revealing that each part of the sea floor has its own characteristic features and is as distinct as the geologic and topographic provinces on land. The deep ocean floor holds the same fascination for us as unexplored mountain tops, jungles, or the surface of the moon and planets. And, since the oceans cover more than 70 percent of the earth's surface, the ocean floor holds the key to much of the history and evolution of our earth. There are very few places in the depths of the ocean that have been explored and studied directly by man, and to which man can relate in the way he relates to the earth on land. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge rift valley, studied during Project FAMOUS, is one of these places.

This book can benefit the nonspecialist who wants to keep up with work on magmatism and tectonics, as well as researchers working on mid-ocean ridges."--BOOK JACKET.

The deep oceans and global seafloor are truly Earth's last frontier. They remain largely unexplored, yet are critical to our survival on this planet. This magnificent, full-color volume transports you to bizarre landscapes hosting exotic life forms that rival the most imaginative science fiction. Starting with a historical summary of seafloor exploration and the developing technologies used to study this extreme environment, it then describes the distinctive geologic components of the Earth's ocean floor and the unusual biological communities found along the mid-ocean ridges. This is an indispensable reference for researchers, teachers, and students of marine science, and a visually stunning resource that will enlighten and intrigue oceanographers and enthusiasts alike. A suite of online resources, including photographs and video clips, combine with the book to provide fascinating insights into the hidden world of seafloor geology and biology using the latest deep-sea imaging and geological concepts.