History of Oceanography: The "Pathfinder of the Sea"

Some of the biggest breakthroughs in the history of oceanography were made by the U.S. Navy's Matthew Fontaine Maury.

Maury, also known as the "Pathfinder of the Sea", used data to establish the relationship between currents and oceanic weather. This research was important because weather can often be obstacle at sea; monitoring the ocean's currents gives a warning for troublesome weather, such as the formation of earthquakes.

Maury also published a book called The Physical Geography of the Sea and the first bathymetric map. Maury's publications have allowed sailors, explorers, and scientists to become more familiar with the ocean's topography.