Marie Tharp
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Two Lamont Scientists Celebrate Marie Tharp’s Hall of Fame Induction—and Carry Her Legacy Forward
Robin Bell and Vicki Ferrini reflect on Tharp’s induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and how her groundbreaking ocean-floor maps helped establish the theory of plate tectonics.
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Interactive: The Heezen–Tharp World Ocean Floor Map
Explore Marie Tharp’s groundbreaking 1977 World Ocean Floor map and discover how it transformed our understanding of the Earth.
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From Marie Tharp to Seabed 2030: Marine Geophysicist Vicki Ferrini on Mapping the Ocean Floor
In honor of Tharp’s birthday, Ferrini discusses the geologist’s pioneering work and how it paved the way for her own collaborative efforts to map the ocean floor.
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Happy Birthday, Marie Tharp!
State of the Planet celebrates the legacy of this history-making cartographer on what would be her 105th birthday.
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Two Longtime Lamont Research Professors Honored With New Appointments
Robin Bell has been named the Marie Tharp Lamont Research Professor and Richard Seager the Ewing Lamont Research Professor.
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Happy Birthday, Marie Tharp!
State of the Planet celebrates the pioneering cartographer’s legacy on what would be her 104th birthday.
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Girl Talk Is Making Waves
In honor of International Women’s Day, we highlight a new workshop that engages women of all backgrounds in ocean sciences.
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Cutting Confederate Ties, the U.S. Navy Names Ships for a Pioneering Female Oceanographer and a Daring Enslaved Pilot
Marie Tharp was a marine scientist in a man’s world. Robert Smalls was a skilled sailor, but held as a slave. Both are now being honored by the U.S. Navy.
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Google Doodle Celebrates Marie Tharp, Who Mapped the Ocean Floor
Tharp co-published the first world map of the ocean floors and helped prove the theory of continental drift.

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More
