Oceanography: Ocean Basins and Features
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Questions and Answers

What primarily causes the formation of mid-ocean ridges?

  • Transform plate boundaries
  • Convergent plate boundaries
  • Plate fracture zones
  • Divergent plate boundaries (correct)

How do the topographies of fast and slow spreading ridges differ?

  • Slow spreading ridges have rift valleys, while fast spreading ridges are smoother and dome-like. (correct)
  • Fast spreading ridges have rift valleys, while slow spreading ridges have smoother surfaces.
  • Fast spreading ridges rise 100-200 meters, while slow spreading ridges are flatter.
  • Both types of ridges are characterized by continuous peaks.

What temperature can ocean water reach when it interacts with magma at hydrothermal vents?

  • 450°C
  • 100°C
  • 250°C
  • 380°C (correct)

Which organism is NOT commonly found in the unique ecosystems supported by hydrothermal vents?

<p>Coral reefs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do bacteria play in the ecosystems near hydrothermal vents?

<p>They fix energy from vent chemicals. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What geological feature is primarily associated with ocean trenches?

<p>Subduction Zones (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of rock is primarily found on the oceanic side of ocean trenches?

<p>Sedimentary Rock (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main source of energy for organisms in ocean trenches?

<p>Chemosynthesis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average width of the continental shelf?

<p>70 km (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What depth is the Challenger Deep, the deepest point on Earth?

<p>Around 11,000 meters (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the continental slope in an ocean basin?

<p>It has a steep incline dropping approximately 70 m per km. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is part of the ocean basin relief?

<p>Continental rise (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are guyots characterized by?

<p>Flat Tops (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of the abyssal plain?

<p>It is a vast, flat area of the ocean floor at great depths. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is marine snow?

<p>Organic matter falling from higher parts of the ocean (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which zone has the highest net primary productivity (NPP)?

<p>Photic zone (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of abyssal plains?

<p>Mountain chains and isolated peaks (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does salinity change near large river mouths?

<p>It decreases due to the influx of freshwater. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the movement observed at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

<p>Seafloor Spreading (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What influences the continuity of the continental slope?

<p>Presence of submarine canyons and gullies. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to higher turbidity near river mouths?

<p>High sediment from waterways. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Continental Shelf

The shallow, flat area bordering continents, extending out to the continental slope. It's relatively narrow, with an average width of 70 kilometers.

Continental Slope

A steep incline dropping 70 meters per kilometer, connecting the continental shelf to the continental rise. It's carved by submarine canyons and gullies, making it less continuous.

Continental Rise

A gentle slope connecting the continental slope to the abyssal plain. It's wider than the continental slope and less steep.

Abyssal Plain

The vast, flat area of the ocean floor at the deepest depths. It's characterized by its smooth, featureless terrain.

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Photic Zone

The zone within the ocean where sunlight penetrates. It's generally closer to the continents where the water is shallower.

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Turbidity

The presence of suspended particles in water, often caused by sediment from rivers. It's generally higher near river mouths.

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Net Primary Productivity (NPP)

The amount of organic material produced by living organisms in a given area. It tends to be high on continental shelves because of the combination of shallow water and ample nutrients from rivers.

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Salinity

The salt content of water. Salinity is lower near river mouths where freshwater mixes with seawater.

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Mid-Ocean Ridge

A long, underwater mountain range formed at divergent plate boundaries where magma rises and solidifies.

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Transform Faults

Breaks in the continuous ridge system, where plates slide horizontally past each other.

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Hydrothermal Vents

Hot springs on the ocean floor that release minerals and chemicals from the Earth's interior.

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Vent Ecosystems

Unique ecosystems found around hydrothermal vents, where bacteria use chemicals for energy instead of sunlight.

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Shrimp and Bacteria Symbiosis

A symbiotic relationship where bacteria living on or inside shrimp provide food and energy, allowing the shrimp to survive in nutrient-rich, but harsh, vent environments.

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Rift Valleys

Deep notches with steep sides present along the Mid-Ocean Ridges.

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Guyots

Peaks that once rose above sea level but have been eroded down, leaving flat tops.

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Seafloor Spreading

The process where new oceanic crust is formed at the Mid-Ocean Ridges and spreads outward, moving the continents apart.

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Subduction

The process where the denser oceanic crust sinks beneath the lighter continental crust.

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Ocean Trenches

Long, narrow, deep depressions in the ocean floor formed by subduction zones.

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Volcanic Arcs

Mountain ranges parallel to ocean trenches, formed by volcanic activity associated with subduction zones.

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Chemosynthesis

The process where organisms in the trenches obtain energy from chemical compounds, rather than sunlight.

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