The geology of the ocean floor is truly spectacular – perhaps even more than land geology. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to study… you know, being on the ocean floor and all.

But technician Marie Tharp and Professor Bruce Heezen from Columbia University’s Earth Institute put together several pieces of geology and geophysical information to not only create the most accurate map of the oceanic underground – but to rewrite geophysics.

Their work paved the way for general acceptance of the theories of continental drift and plate tectonic and the map itself is truly spectacular.

Here’s another map, via Houston University.

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