What can mud reveal about the history of oceans?

Oceans serve as the dominant feature of the Earth. They sustain life, which began in their salty waters, and influence weather and climate. Despite the significance of Earth’s oceans, much of their history remains a mystery. Katherine Allen, and assistant professor from the School of Earth and Climate Sciences at the University of Maine, looks to literally dig up that history, which can be found in mud along the ocean floor and the many objects embedded in it. Dredging up the record of Earth’s oceans from the seafloor requires detective work, and provides exciting adventures. In this episode of “The Maine Question,” we explore the ancient past of the oceans, including changes in the Gulf of Maine over time, and what it means for their future.