NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY
KARACHI, PAKISTAN
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    DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICS

    The research activities of this Section aims at producing geological maps of the ocean floor and the sub-floor at different scales by using different surveying and sampling techniques. These maps show the lithology, stratigraphy and structures of the seafloor and the subseafloor in our EEZ and provide the data base for evaluating non-living resources potential. Our marine geologists also study near-shore and shallower regions such as inner continental shelf and coast where ocean and atmosphere dynamically interact to produce complex and rapidly changing morphology. Such studies are essential for coastal zone development and management.


    The Indus delta has been chosen for geological and geophysical mapping on priority basis. In this region the greatest potential exist for living as well as non-living resources. The interaction of sediments from the Indus with the chemical and physical conditions over geological times affecting the ecology of the Indus Delta is the dominant factor for the prospects in the area.

    With the acceptance of plate tectonics as driving force behind ocean ridge and basin formation marine scientists are endeavouring to understand, resolve, and map the evolution of ridge basin complex of the northern Arabian Sea, determine the marine hydrocarbon and minerals potential and study recent coastal tectonic activity and offshore earthquake events for evaluating earthquake and Tsunami hazards in the coastal region.

    The main research interests in this field :
    1. Geological processes and Geomorphology of the coastal areas.
    2. Sedimentation and Sedimentary processes in Indus Delta and Makran Margin.
    3. Geo-hazards and coastal environment.
    4. Exploration of placer minerals and other non-living resources.
    5. Identification and evaluation of potential areas for hydrocarbon resources in EEZ.
    6. Study of sub-bottom strata for the laying submarine cables, pipelines and building coastal and offshore engineering structures.
    7. Paleoceanography and reconstruction of climatic history from marine sediments.

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