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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In Eastern Africa, the Cradle of Humankind Is Tearing Apart
Researchers have found that Earth’s underlying crust in the Turkana Rift region has been significantly thinned, presaging Africa’s eventual breakup—and with that finding, the researchers offer a new perspective on Turkana’s fossil record of human evolution.
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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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How Does a Major Subduction Zone Get Started? It May Begin Small.
A study of an emerging zone off New Zealand suggests that the process, vital for life on Earth, may at first be localized and then develop into something much larger.
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Join Us in Celebrating #MarieTharp100
July 30 marks 100 years since the birth of Marie Tharp, a pioneering geologist who created some of the first maps of the ocean floor. We’re celebrating her achievements and legacy with blog posts, giveaways, and more.
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Walter Pitman: Discovered a Key to Plate Tectonics
Walter Pitman, a seagoing geophysicist who spotted a crucial piece of a huge puzzle that revolutionized the earth sciences, has died.
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A Seismologist Present at the Discovery of Plate Tectonics
Lynn Sykes, a pivotal figure in the development of plate tectonics, discusses a new memoir of his career.
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Photo Essay: On an Island, a Lost Part of the World Is Found
On the volcanic Indian Ocean island of Anjouan, scientists are investigating a rock that apparently formed on a far-off continent.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10am to 4pm, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Open House—our biggest, best science fun and discovery event of the year—will take place on our beautiful campus in Palisades, NY. Mark your calendar and join us for this free, family-friendly celebration of science! RSVP Today!
