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School of Earth Sciences

Modern Seafloor Depositional Systems

Many SPODDS studies have focused on modern sea-floor depositional systems, including submarine canyons in the South China Sea and off west Africa and canyon and fan activity in the Continental Borderland of southern California.
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Modern Seafloor Depositional Systems

Seismic Studies

SPODDS scientists use 3D and 2D seismic data to investigate the geometry and evolution of ancient deep-water systems at the intermediate to large scale.
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Seismic Studies

Outcrop Analogs of Sub- surface Deep-water Systems

Much of SPODDS research involves studies of outcropping deep-water systems to develop a better understanding of the processes of sedimentation and the architecture of the resulting deposits.
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Outcrop Analogs
Modern Seafloor Depositional Systems
Seismic Studies
Outcrop Analogs of Sub- surface Deep-water Systems

The Stanford Project on Deep-water Depositional Systems (SPODDS) is a research program in the Department of Geological Sciences in the School of Earth Sciences. We focus on the ancient and modern deep-water deposits around the world, providing opportunities for students, faculty, and participating companies to collaborate via guided research and exploration.  Our scientific community includes a wide-range of internationally-based affiliate companies and research institutions. In this era of ever dwindling natural resources, we seek greater understanding of deep-water deposits as reservoirs for energy products on the ancient sea floor and modern continental margins. A huge highlight of the program is the annual field trip to one of the world's classic deep-water basins.