Marine biology timeline

350 - 2000 10 events
foundational work

Aristotle's Marine Observations

350
Aristotle documents over 500 marine species laying the foundation for marine biology
early exploration

Phoenician Ocean Voyages

1200
Phoenicians begin ocean voyages using celestial navigation marking early marine exploration
scientific expedition

Darwin's HMS Beagle Voyage

1831–1836
Charles Darwin studies marine life and coral reefs during his voyage on HMS Beagle
technological innovation

Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invents Aquarium

1832
Jeanne Villepreux-Power creates the first aquarium for studying marine organisms
scientific expedition

Wilkes Expedition

1838–1842
U.S. Exploring Expedition collects thousands of marine specimens expanding marine knowledge
000 feet challenging previous beliefs

Discovery of Deep-Sea Life

1868
Charles Wyville Thomson discovers life at 18
scientific expedition

HMS Challenger Expedition

1872–1876
First global marine research expedition laying the foundation for modern oceanography
research institutions

Establishment of Marine Laboratories

1872 onwards
Founding of marine labs in Italy England and the U.S. for systematic marine studies
marine conservation

Charles Sheppard's Coral Reef Protection

1996
Sheppard's research leads to the creation of the world's largest marine protected area
marine conservation

Sylvia Earle's Ocean Exploration

2000
Sylvia Earle pioneers deep-sea exploration and advocates for ocean conservation
350 1200 1831–1836 1832 1838–1842 1868 1872–1876 1872 onwards 1996 2000

History of marine biology timeline

Title Date Era Description Category
Aristotle’s Marine Observations 350 BCE Classical Antiquity Aristotle documents over 500 marine species, laying the foundation for marine biology. Foundational Work
Phoenician Ocean Voyages 1200 BCE Ancient Civilizations Phoenicians begin ocean voyages using celestial navigation, marking early marine exploration. Early Exploration
Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invents Aquarium 1832 CE 19th Century Jeanne Villepreux-Power creates the first aquarium for studying marine organisms. Technological Innovation
Darwin’s HMS Beagle Voyage 1831–1836 CE 19th Century Charles Darwin studies marine life and coral reefs during his voyage on HMS Beagle. Scientific Expedition
Wilkes Expedition 1838–1842 CE 19th Century U.S. Exploring Expedition collects thousands of marine specimens, expanding marine knowledge. Scientific Expedition
HMS Challenger Expedition 1872–1876 CE 19th Century First global marine research expedition, laying the foundation for modern oceanography. Scientific Expedition
Establishment of Marine Laboratories 1872 CE onwards 19th Century Founding of marine labs in Italy, England, and the U.S. for systematic marine studies. Research Institutions
Discovery of Deep-Sea Life 1868 CE 19th Century Charles Wyville Thomson discovers life at 18,000 feet, challenging previous beliefs. Scientific Discovery
Sylvia Earle’s Ocean Exploration 20th Century Modern Era Sylvia Earle pioneers deep-sea exploration and advocates for ocean conservation. Marine Conservation
Charles Sheppard’s Coral Reef Protection 1996 CE Modern Era Sheppard’s research leads to the creation of the world’s largest marine protected area. Marine Conservation

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