Bathymetry

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Bathymetry Noun

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[buh-thim-i-tree]

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Bathymetry

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The scientific measurement of the depths of oceans, seas, and other large bodies of water to map seafloor topography.

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Example: This bathymetric map uses different colors to show the depth and shape of the ocean floor, revealing underwater features like deep canyons.

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Sonar Noun

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[soh-nahr]

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Sonar

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A technique using sound propagation (SOund NAvigation and Ranging) to navigate, measure distances, and detect objects under the water.

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Example: A ship sends out sound waves that travel to the ocean floor, bounce back as an echo, and are detected by the ship to measure water depth.

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Continental Margin Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl mahr-jin]

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Continental Margin

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The transitional zone between the continental crust of a landmass and the oceanic crust of the deep ocean basin.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the seafloor, labeling the parts that make up the continental margin: the shelf, slope, and rise.

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Continental Shelf Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl shelf]

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Continental Shelf

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The shallow, gently sloping, submerged portion of a continent's edge, extending from the coastline to the continental slope.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the ocean floor, labeling the continental shelf as the shallow, gently sloping area extending from a continent's edge.

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Continental Slope Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl slohp]

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Continental Slope

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The steep incline that descends from the edge of the continental shelf down to the deep ocean floor.

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Example: This diagram shows the continental slope as the steep incline of the ocean floor that connects the shallow continental shelf to the deep ocean basin.

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Continental Rise Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl rahyz]

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Continental Rise

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A gently sloping region of accumulated sediment at the base of the continental slope, leading to the abyssal plain.

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Example: This diagram shows the continental rise as the gently sloping area at the bottom of the continental slope, connecting it to the deep ocean floor.

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Abyssal Plain Noun

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[uh-bis-uhl pleyn]

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Abyssal Plain

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A vast, flat, and deep region of the ocean floor, typically found at depths between 3,000 and 6,000 meters.

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Example: This diagram shows the abyssal plain as a vast, flat area on the deep ocean floor, located beyond the steep continental slope.

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Seamount Noun

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[see-mount]

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Seamount

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An underwater mountain of volcanic origin that rises from the ocean floor but does not reach the water's surface.

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Example: This diagram shows a seamount, an underwater mountain rising from the abyssal plain, which remains completely submerged unlike a volcanic island that breaks the surface.

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Mid-Ocean Ridge Noun

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[mid-oh-shuhn rij]

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Mid-Ocean Ridge

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A continuous underwater mountain range formed by tectonic plate divergence where new oceanic crust is created by magma upwelling.

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Example: This diagram shows a mid-ocean ridge where tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magma to rise from a magma chamber, creating new oceanic crust.

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Oceanic Trench Noun

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[oh-shee-an-ik trench]

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Oceanic Trench

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A long, narrow, and extremely deep depression on the ocean floor, typically formed where one tectonic plate subducts under another.

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Example: This diagram shows an oceanic trench, a deep valley in the ocean floor, forming where a dense oceanic plate slides under a continental plate.