海洋地质學是一門新近才发展起来的年輕的科学,它既需要地质学的知識,而又需要海洋学(如海流、波浪、潮汐)方面的知识。自从开始了海上航行,人們就注意了海底的地形(深度)和底質(海底表面的現代沉积物)。然而,这只是把它們当做为航海服务的一个因子来考虑的。十九世紀中叶,由于大西洋北部漁捞事業的衰退以及在大洋里舖設海底电线的需要,許多国家都觉得有进一步詳細地調查研究海底地形及底质情况的必要。在第一次世界大战前后,潛水艇的大量应用,漁捞事業的发展,以及对新的矿产基地的迫切要求等,就更进一步 Marine geology is a young science that has just been developed. It requires both knowledge of geology and knowledge of oceanography (such as currents, waves, tides). Since the beginning of the sea voyage, people have noticed the topography (depth) and the sediment (the modern sediment on the sea surface) of the seabed. However, this simply considers them as a factor in maritime services. In the mid-nineteenth century, many countries felt the need for further detailed investigation into the status of the seafloor topography and sediment due to the declining fishing business in the northern Atlantic Ocean and the need to lay submarine wires in the oceans. Before and after the First World War, the extensive use of submarines, the development of fishing undertakings, and the urgent demand for new mineral bases went further