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Questions and Answers
What are the eight main features of the ocean floor?
What are the eight main features of the ocean floor?
- Seamount (correct)
- Continental slope (correct)
- Abyssal plain (correct)
- Mid-ocean ridge (correct)
- Volcanic island (correct)
- Continental shelf (correct)
- Ocean current
- Continental rise (correct)
- Ocean trench (correct)
What is a continental shelf?
What is a continental shelf?
An underwater plain between a continent and the deep ocean that slowly slopes.
What is a continental slope?
What is a continental slope?
A steep underwater slope that reaches from the edge of the continental shelf to the continental rise.
What is a continental rise?
What is a continental rise?
What is an abyssal plain?
What is an abyssal plain?
What is a mid-ocean ridge?
What is a mid-ocean ridge?
What is an ocean trench?
What is an ocean trench?
What is a seamount?
What is a seamount?
What is a volcanic island?
What is a volcanic island?
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Study Notes
Main Features of the Ocean Floor
- Eight primary features include: continental shelf, continental slope, continental rise, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge, ocean trench, seamount, and volcanic island.
Continental Shelf
- A submerged plain located between a continent and the ocean, characterized by a gentle slope.
- Acts as an extension of the continental landmass beneath the sea.
Continental Slope
- A steep underwater gradient extending from the edge of the continental shelf down to the continental rise.
- Marks the transition to deeper ocean areas.
Continental Rise
- A gently sloping area located between the continental slope and abyssal plain.
- Acts as a sediment accumulation zone.
Abyssal Plain
- Flat, vast regions on the deep ocean floor, often found at the base of continental rises.
- Considered one of the most level and smooth zones on Earth.
Mid-Ocean Ridge
- A significant underwater mountain range formed by tectonic activity at divergent plate boundaries.
- Plays a crucial role in the process of seafloor spreading.
Ocean Trench
- A deep, narrow depression in the ocean floor located at subduction zones.
- Represents some of the deepest parts of the Earth's oceans.
Seamount
- An underwater mountain formed by volcanic activity, rising from the ocean floor.
- Not tall enough to emerge above sea level.
Volcanic Island
- Landforms created by volcanic activity that were once seamounts.
- Can emerge above the ocean surface, often becoming prominent land masses.
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