Geological diving, one of the newest forms of offshore exploration, is being used successfully in the search for offshore oil. It is now possible for properly trained geologists to map the sea floor to depths of 150 feet, thereby opening approximately 1,000 square miles of ocean bottom for inspection off southern California alone. At present more than 1,500 dives have been made for the specific purpose of obtaining geological data.

Geological diving is particularly suited for, but by no means limited to, that zone which extends from the shore line to approximately ½ mile offshore. It is here that the land geologist is stopped by surf, and seismic operations by law.

To explain better the problems and techniques used by the underwater geologist a short motion picture of a typical diving day is presented.

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