4.7 Oceans

Front

What is an ocean trench?

Back

An ocean trench is a deep, narrow depression in the ocean floor, often formed by the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another.

Front

How do ocean currents move?

Back

Ocean currents flow horizontally across the ocean, driven by wind, water density differences, and the Earth's rotation.

Front

What is the continental rise?

Back

The continental rise is the area of the ocean floor that slopes gently from the continental slope to the abyssal plain, often made up of sediment.

Front

What role do phytoplankton play in the ocean food web?

Back

Phytoplankton are producers that convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis, forming the base of the ocean food web.

Front

Where is water pressure greatest in the ocean?

Back

Water pressure is greatest at the deepest parts of the ocean, such as ocean trenches.

Front

What are tides?

Back

Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

Front

What is the difference between currents and tides?

Back

Currents flow horizontally, while tides move vertically.

Front

What is the abyssal plain?

Back

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

Front

What are the main components of the ocean food web?

Back

The main components are producers (like phytoplankton), primary consumers (like zooplankton), secondary consumers (like small fish), and top predators (like sharks).

Front

What is the significance of ocean currents?

Back

Ocean currents help regulate the Earth's climate by distributing heat around the planet.