Questions and Answers
What is an abyssal plain?
What defines a continental margin?
A boundary between continental crust and oceanic crust
What is a continental slope?
A steep incline of the ocean floor leading down from the edge of the continental shelf
What are guyots?
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What are mid-ocean ridges?
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What are rift valleys?
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What are submarine canyons?
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What are sea mounts?
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What are trenches?
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What is a continental shelf?
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Study Notes
Seafloor Features
- Abyssal Plain: Characterized as extensive, flat regions in deep-ocean basins, forming a significant part of the ocean floor.
- Continental Margin: Serves as the demarcation line where continental crust transitions into oceanic crust, influencing geology and marine ecosystems.
- Continental Slope: Represents a steep descent from the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor, impacting sedimentary processes and marine life.
- Guyots: Recognized as seamounts that have been flattened due to wave and current erosion, indicative of geological processes over time.
- Mid-Ocean Ridges: Feature extensive mountain ranges under the ocean, formed by tectonic activities and playing a vital role in seafloor spreading.
- Rift Valleys: Found at mid-ocean ridges, these are zones where magma rises to fill the space created by tectonic divergence, contributing to ocean basin formation.
- Submarine Canyons: Formed by turbidity currents that erode continental shelves and slopes, these canyons are key to understanding underwater sediment transport.
- Sea Mounts: Defined as isolated underwater volcanoes that rise from the ocean floor, often hosting unique marine biodiversity.
- Trenches: Deep-sea depressions formed by tectonic subduction, these features are among the deepest parts of the ocean and are critical for oceanographic studies.
- Continental Shelf: A broad, gently sloping area adjacent to the continent, rich in marine resources and vital for fishing industries.
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Description
Explore the various features of the ocean floor in this quiz. From abyssal plains to mid-ocean ridges, understand the geological processes shaping our oceans. Test your knowledge on the continental shelf, seamounts, and submarine canyons.