Marginal seas

Abstract

It should be noticed that the definition of “marginal sea” is slightly different in disciplines of geology, geography and oceanography, and geopolitics. The most restrict definition is in geological context where a marginal sea must be underlain by oceanic crust, which is formed by lithosphere breakup and seafloor spreading. Marginal seas have many features different from those of open oceans. The formation of marginal seas created a space for extensive interactions between land mass and open oceans and has a significant impact on global geography, oceanography, geology, and climate system. The marginal seas also provide abundant natural resources and space for human being. The study of marginal seas is a frontier field in geosciences.