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U.S. Coastal Survey
Thomas Jefferson signs a bill authorizing the United States Coast SUrvey. This began systematic studies of the Gulf Stream, so we may know more about the waters around us. -
Undersea Canyons
James Alden discovers the first known submarine valley, California's Monterey Canyon. This led to further research of it's purpose and the discovery of more submarine valleys. -
Deep Sea Discovery
Charles Wyville Thomson, finds sea life at 4,389 meters (14,400 feet), shattering previous theories that the sea was lifeless below 549 meters (1,800 feet). This showed how there was much more to the sea than we previously thought. -
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H.M.S. Challenger
The H.M.S. Challenger circles the globe, conducting research and laying the groundwork for modern oceanography. -
The Aqua-Lung
Jacques Cousteau and Emile Gagnan modify a demand breathing regulator to engineer the Aqua-Lung. This forever changed the course of human interaction with the sea. -
Ocean Floor Map
The first map of the ocean floor was created by Marie Tharp. This was a huge creation, that would be used and modified by anyone studying the ocean. -
The Calypso
The calypso is the world's first underwater camera. This allows divers to capture species on film, for the world to see what they look like. -
Deep Sea Drilling Program
This program involved universities and other research institutions, begins to sample the Earth's crust beneath the sea. -
Coastal Zone Color Scanner
The Coastal Zone Color Scanner launched and showed biological oceanographers the patterns, variability, complexity, and coherence of ocean biology for the first time. -
Seasat I
Seasat I was the first satellite launched into space for ocean purposes. It was mainly used for mapping the ocean by measuring bumps on the seafloor with a radar altimeter.