Chinese Journal of Nature ›› 2022, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (1): 72-78.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.0253-9608.2022.01.007

• History of Natural Science • Previous Articles    

Birth of the first world ocean floor map

ZHANG Hanke①②, YAN Bing   

  1. ①College of Undergraduate School, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China;②College of Meteorology and Oceanography, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China
  • Received:2021-11-15 Online:2022-02-25 Published:2022-02-21

Abstract: In 1977, American scientists Marie Tharp and Bruce Heezen published the world’s first ocean floor map, in which various characteristics of the ocean floor were displayed completely and intuitively in front of the world for the first time. The map caused a great sensation at that time. Even now, it still has an unshakable status in the field of geosciences. Behind this map was the systematic and hard work by the two scientists on the world ocean floor for more than 20 years. This paper reviews the process, technology and methods of the research, and reveals the significance of their research.