Marine Geology

Marine Geology is one of the most interdisciplinary, exciting and diverse fields in the world of Geoscience. Just some of the things you learn about here are the birth and dynamic development and evolution of the world's oceans and their marine organisms; the history of the Earth’s climate, the Earth’s natural resources and their exploitation, marine environmental care and supervision and other environmental issues.

Marine Geology is one of the most basic subjects in Marine Science. It deals with everything from the ocean floor’s structure and development, ocean currents and their effect on the earth’s climate and biosphere to the smallest bay or lagoon.

Marine Geology in Sweden was born in Gothenburg and between 1947 and 1948 the Swedish Deep Sea Expedition, organised by the University of Gothenburg, sailed around the world in the Albatross.

Today, Marine Geology research projects are mainly directed towards climatic and paleo-oceanographic studies in the ocean environment from the Cretaceous to the present, marine seismic research and marine environmental geology. 

The Work of Marine Geologists

The marine environment

Marine Geologists carry out research on different ocean environments and sediments on the sea beds as well as old oceanic deposits which today are to be found on land or in mountains. We work out at sea, on land and in the laboratory. We study the deepest oceans, the shallowest seas and the archipelago environment. We examine how climate, ocean circulation and ocean currents have varied during the different geological time periods – everything from millions to just a few thousand years ago.

As a Marine Geologist you will have the opportunity to study different aspects of marine environments. For example you can study man’s influence on the ocean environment and pollution of the seas or the natural variations of fauna and flora, climate and sedimentation. You can also study the effects of long-term and slow geological processes.

Applied Marine Geology

In Applied Marine Geology we work not only with mapping of sediments of the ocean floors and the spread of environmental pollution, but also commercial studies and industrial development of oil, gas and other minerals. Marine Geologists also study tectonic activity on the ocean floor, ocean floor spreading, studies of the sea floor in connection with constructions on the sea floor, pipelines, laying of cables, building bridges, shipping lanes, harbour constructions, wind power stations at sea, and so on.

Global and International Field Work

As a Marine Geologist you can do field work anywhere in the
world, from your local archipelago to deep-sea ocean floors in the tropics, on coral reefs, in the Arctic seas or high up in the Himalayan mountains.

Equipment Important for Marine Geologists

Examples of important equipment for a Marine Geologist are long lead weights for taking samples of core sediments, drilling equipment for kilometre long drilling in deep sea or for oil rich layers in the continental shelf and marine seismic equipment for studying structures under the ocean floors.

Microfossils are used in environmental studies both on recent and really old geological stratifications. Advanced analytical instruments are used for studying natural isotopes in the sediments or in microfossils, and other instruments are used for analysing heavy metals, nutrients and poisons in the sediments.

Work Opportunities

The most important employers for our students are the Swedish Geological Survey (Marine Geology); the consulting market in Marine Survey; County Administrative Boards and Municipalities; research and education. Of those students who have graduated as Marine Geologists in the last five to six years, the majority are now working in Applied Marine Geology. Employers range from the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU Marine Geology) to international oil and prospecting companies. Several have also found employment with smaller consulting companies with a wide range of tasks from searching for sunken aeroplanes and submarines in the sea to investigations of the ocean floors in preparation for cable laying and wind power installations at sea. A number have also continued with post-graduate research in Marine Geology and later got work in research and education both with County Administrative Boards and with SGU Marine Geology.