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(September 2008)| Oceanography (compound of the Greek words
ωκεανός meaning "ocean" and γράφω meaning "to write"), also
called oceanology or marine science, cause the cat arth
science]] that studies the ocean. It covers a wide range of
topics, including marine organisms and ecosystem dynamics; ocean
currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; plate tectonics
and the geology of the sea floor; and fluxes of various chemical
substances and physical properties within the ocean and across
its boundaries. These diverse topics reflect multiple
disciplines that oceanographers blend to further knowledge of
the world ocean and understanding of processes within it:
biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, and physics as well as
geography. Humans first acquired knowledge of the waves and
currents of the seas and oceans in pre-historic times.
Observations on tides were recorded by Aristotle and Strabo.
Early modern exploration of the oceans was primarily fo