Ocean Floor Features

Front

What is a rift?

Back

A rift is a divide or a valley formed by tectonic activity.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1

Front

What are ocean trenches?

Back

Ocean trenches are the deepest parts of the ocean, formed by the subduction of tectonic plates.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the continental shelf?

Back

The continental shelf is the gradually sloping part of a continent that extends under the ocean.

Front

What is a volcanic island?

Back

A volcanic island is a landform created by volcanic activity, often found in oceanic regions.

Front

What is the Mariana Trench?

Back

The Mariana Trench is the deepest known place on Earth, located in the western Pacific Ocean.

Front

What is a seamount?

Back

A seamount is an underwater mountain formed by volcanic activity.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by tectonic plates moving apart.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is an abyssal plain?

Back

An abyssal plain is a flat, deep area of the ocean floor, typically found at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Front

What is the continental slope?

Back

The continental slope is the steeply sloping area between the continental shelf and the ocean floor.

Front

What is the ocean basin?

Back

The ocean basin is the deep part of the ocean floor that includes the abyssal plains and trenches.