Memorial University presents Canada Research Chairs lecture, Deciphering the SeafloorNovember 24, 2006 Source: Memorial University of Newfoundland
http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/news/index.php?includefile=showitem.php&id=1354 Memorial University will hold another in its series of Canada Research Chair lectures,Deciphering the Seafloor, on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Junior Common Room, R. Gushue Hall, Irwin’s Road. Dr. Sam Bentley, Canada Research Chair in Seabed Imaging and Seabed Processes will present the lecture We Know It’s There, We Just Can’t See It: One Perspective on Seabed Exploration. The margins of ocean basins are the most travelled regions of the world’s seas. This region, encompassing –16 per cent of the Earth’s surface, hosts 90 per cent of global fish stocks, as well as newly discovered sea-floor ecosystems. The vast majority of all petroleum resources, including those now found on land, originated as marine sediments. The longest continuous records of Earth history occur here. However, we know less about the seabed of these regions than we do about the surface of Mars, largely because the oceans limit our ability to effectively image, sample, and study the seabed. New technologies are allowing us to address some of these limitations. Dr. Bentley will explain how these new tools give us a better view and more complete understanding of the ocean floor. Meanwhile, Dr. Duncan McIlroy, Canada Research Chair in Petroleum Geoscience/ Geotechnology will present, The Work of Worms. Our ability to effectively exploit petroleum reserves is dependent upon understanding the processes that control the distribution of pores in sedimentary rocks. An under-appreciated influence on petroleum reservoir quality is the effect that animals have on mineral weathering and sediment fabrics. Dr. McIlroy will explore the impact that marine animals have had on sedimentary rocks over the last 500 million years, in terms of both petroleum source rocks and reservoirs. The lecture is open to the public. Parking is available in front of R. Gushue Hall and Lot 15. A reception will follow the lectures. - 30 - For more information, contact, Deborah Inkpen, communications co-ordinator (research), Memorial University, at 737-4073 or inkpend@mun.ca.
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