Theodore Moore

Field of Study: Oceanography

Professor Moore’s interests lie in the study of paleoceanography and paleoclimate change. His research involves the stratigraphy of ocean and lake sediments and makes use of seismic stratigraphy, lithostratigraphy and biostratigraphy (Radiolaria) to explore the history of the earth.  He has been an active participant in scientific ocean drilling programs throughout his career. His studies encompass records ranging in age from the Holocene to the early Cenozoic and recently focus on the Eocene – Oligocene boundary interval. These studies led to the discovery of hydrothermal circulation in the older crust of the tropical Pacific that has resulted in the deposition of chert layers just above the basaltic basement, and the transport and mixing of early Cenozoic radiolarians in more modern, near-surface sediments. At present he is working with modelers of the tsunami that resulted from the asteroid impact at the Cretaceous – Paleogene boundary to verify the pathways and strength of this tsunami in the global ocean.