The Scientist Who Mapped the Seafloor: Marie Tharp | Great Minds

The video discusses the significant contributions of Marie Tharp to oceanography, particularly her role in mapping the ocean floor and discovering the mid-Atlantic ridge. Her work provided evidence for the theory of continental drift, challenging the prevailing expanding Earth hypothesis. Despite initial skepticism, Tharp's maps and the correlation with earthquake epicenters confirmed the movement of tectonic plates. Her legacy continues to influence our understanding of the Earth's geological processes.

What percentage of the ocean floor had been mapped in detail by 2017?

• 15%

• 20%

• 6%

• 10%

What was the primary method used for measuring ocean depth before sonar technology?

• Satellite imaging

• Laser scanning

• Radar

• Sounding with a rope and weight

What did Marie Tharp discover in the North Atlantic Ocean?

• A rift valley

• A new species of fish

• A large coral reef

• A sunken city

What theory did Tharp's discovery of the rift valley support?

• Expanding Earth

• Continental drift

• Shrinking Earth

• Static continents

What was the initial reaction of Brian Heezen to Tharp's rift valley discovery?

• He ignored it completely

• He called it 'girl talk'

• He immediately accepted it

• He published it without hesitation

What evidence supported the existence of the rift valley discovered by Tharp?

• Presence of new marine species

• Earthquake epicenters aligning with the rift

• Increased water temperature

• Unusual tidal patterns

What is the significance of the mid-Atlantic ridge in geology?

• It is the deepest part of the ocean

• It provides a mechanism for continental drift

• It is a site of frequent volcanic eruptions

• It is a major fishing ground