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Sasser S6E5d
Earth Science
Term | Definition |
---|---|
ocean basin | this is the actual depression in Earth's surfce that holds the ocean water |
continental shelf | the gradual sloping end of a continent that extends under the ocean |
continental slope | drops more steeply, and extends from the outer edge of the shelf to the ocean floor |
continental rise | base of the continental slope made of large piles of sediment |
seamounts | these are underwater mountains/volcanoes that do not break the surface of the ocean |
abyssal plains | is some of the deepest parts of the ocean, and some of the flattest parts of Earth |
volcanic island | is formed by volcanic eruptions. The lava continues to pile up and harden and the mountain/island breaks the surface of the ocean |
The Mid-Ocean Ridge | is between 70,000 and 80,000 km long. Is a continuous chain of undersea mountains that runs all around the world. Is the longest mountain chain on Earth. Forms new ocean floor as lava erupts through the Earth's crust. |
Trenches | are like canyons on the bottom of the ocean floor. They are some of the deepest parts of the earth. Some bottoms haven't even been explored yet. |
The Marian Trench | This is the deepest trench we know of; it is over 11 km deep. It is located in the Pacific Ocean. Mt. Everest could easily fit inside of it. There would still be over 2000 m of water over it |
sonar | technology is based on the echo-ranging behavior of bats. Scientists use this to determine the ocean's depth by sending sound pulses from a ship down into the ocean. |