Marine Geology: Can tiny fossils disrupt global communications?
Ocean Sciences (OS)
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Microfossils are often smaller than a grain of sand, yet when they accumulate on the seafloor, they can have significant impacts on sediment stability. Dr Julia Reece, a marine geologist at Texas A&M University, USA, believes they may play a role in initiating submarine landslides. These underwater hazards pose threats to coastal communities and global communications, so it is vital to understand how they occur.
In this brochure, Julia talks about her lab-based research and discusses her role as co-chief scientist aboard the JOIDES Resolution during an ocean drilling expedition. The brochure also offers insights into the International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) and careers in marine geology, and contains an interview with Julia about her career pathway and experiences at sea. It also includes an activity sheet that challenges students to imagine life aboard the JOIDES Resolution. An accompanying PowerPoint reiterates the key points of the article.