Divisions of the Ocean Floor

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  • Continental shelf
  • Continental slope
  • Abyssal plain
  • Mid-ocean ridge
  • Trench
  • Guyot
  • Seamount
  • Atoll
  • Submarine volcano
  • Oceanic plateau
  • Oceanic trench
    The ocean floor is a vast and largely unexplored realm. It covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, yet we know very little about it. In recent years, scientists have made great strides in mapping and understanding the ocean floor, but there is still much to learn.
  • The ocean floor is divided into several major features, including the continental shelf, continental slope, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge, trench, guyot, seamount, atoll, submarine volcano, oceanic plateau, and oceanic trench.

    The continental shelf is the gently sloping edge of a continent that extends out into the ocean. It is typically covered by relatively shallow water and is home to a variety of marine life. The continental slope is the steep drop-off from the continental shelf to the abyssal plain. It is a relatively unexplored region, but it is thought to be home to a variety of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.

    The abyssal plain is the vast, flat expanse of the ocean floor that lies between the continental slope and the mid-ocean ridge. It is the least explored region of the ocean floor, and it is thought to be home to a variety of deep-sea creatures.

    The mid-ocean ridge is a long, continuous mountain range that runs along the center of the ocean floor. It is the result of the movement of tectonic plates, and it is home to a variety of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps.

    The trench is a deep, narrow valley that forms where two tectonic plates collide. It is the deepest part of the ocean floor, and it is home to a variety of deep-sea creatures.

    The guyot is a flat-topped seamount that was once an island. It is thought to have formed when a volcano erupted on the ocean floor and then subsided.

    The seamount is a mountain that rises from the ocean floor. It can be either volcanic or non-volcanic in origin.

    The atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef that surrounds a lagoon. It is formed when a coral reef grows around a volcanic island that has subsided.

    The submarine volcano is a volcano that erupts on the ocean floor. It can be either active or dormant.

    The oceanic plateau is a large, flat-topped area of the ocean floor that is not associated with a mid-ocean ridge. It is thought to have formed when hot mantle material upwelled and spread out on the ocean floor.

    The oceanic trench is a deep, narrow valley that forms where two tectonic plates collide. It is the deepest part of the ocean floor, and it is home to a variety of deep-sea creatures.

    The ocean floor is a fascinating and dynamic place. It is home to a variety of life, and it is constantly changing. Scientists are still learning about the ocean floor, and there is much to discover.
    * Continental shelf: The continental shelf is the part of a continent that extends underwater. It is typically much shallower than the open ocean, and it is home to a variety of marine life.
    * Continental slope: The continental slope is the steep drop-off from the continental shelf to the abyssal plain. It is a very important area for marine life, as it is home to a variety of fish and other organisms.
    * Abyssal plain: The abyssal plain is the vast, flat expanse of the deep ocean. It is typically very deep, and it is home to a variety of marine life that is adapted to the low-light conditions.
    * Mid-ocean ridge: The mid-ocean ridge is a long, underwater mountain range that runs through the middle of the ocean. It is the site of new ocean crust formation, and it is home to a variety of marine life.
    * Trench: A trench is a long, narrow, deep depression in the ocean floor. It is formed when one tectonic plate is subducted under another. Trenches are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Guyot: A guyot is an underwater mountain that has a flat top. It is formed when a volcano forms on the ocean floor and then erodes away. Guyots are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Seamount: A seamount is a large, isolated underwater mountain. It is formed when a volcano forms on the ocean floor and then erodes away. Seamounts are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Atoll: An atoll is a ring-shaped coral reef that surrounds a lagoon. It is formed when a volcano forms on the ocean floor and then erodes away, leaving behind the coral reef. Atolls are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Submarine volcano: A submarine volcano is a volcano that forms on the ocean floor. It is formed when magma rises from the Earth’s mantle and erupts through the ocean floor. Submarine VolcanoesVolcanoes are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Oceanic plateau: An oceanic plateau is a large, flat-topped area of the ocean floor. It is formed when hot mantle material rises to the surface and spreads out, forming a large, flat-topped area. Oceanic plateaus are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    * Oceanic trench: An oceanic trench is a long, narrow, deep depression in the ocean floor. It is formed when one tectonic plate is subducted under another. Trenches are home to a variety of marine life, but they are also very dangerous areas, as they are prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
    1. A large, flat-topped seamount that rises abruptly from the deep ocean floor is called a:
    (a) Guyot
    (b) Seamount
    (CC) Atoll
    (d) Submarine volcano

    1. A long, narrow mountain range that runs down the center of the ocean floor is called a:
      (a) Mid-ocean ridge
      (b) Trench
      (c) Guyot
      (d) Seamount

    2. A deep, narrow valley in the ocean floor is called a:
      (a) Trench
      (b) Guyot
      (c) Seamount
      (d) Submarine volcano

    3. A vast, flat expanse of the ocean floor that lies between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain is called the:
      (a) Continental shelf
      (b) Continental slope
      (c) Abyssal plain
      (d) Mid-ocean ridge

    4. The shallowest part of the ocean floor is the:
      (a) Continental shelf
      (b) Continental slope
      (c) Abyssal plain
      (d) Mid-ocean ridge

    5. The deepest part of the ocean floor is the:
      (a) Continental shelf
      (b) Continental slope
      (c) Abyssal plain
      (d) Trench

    6. A ring of coral reefs and islands that surrounds a central lagoon is called an:
      (a) Atoll
      (b) Submarine volcano
      (c) Guyot
      (d) Seamount

    7. A volcano that erupts beneath the surface of the ocean is called a:
      (a) Submarine volcano
      (b) Guyot
      (c) Seamount
      (d) Atoll

    8. A large, flat-topped submarine mountain is called a:
      (a) Guyot
      (b) Seamount
      (c) Atoll
      (d) Submarine volcano

    9. A large, flat-topped seamount that rises abruptly from the deep ocean floor is called a:
      (a) Guyot
      (b) Seamount
      (c) Atoll
      (d) Submarine volcano