Ocean Topography

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Ocean Geomorphology Noun

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[oh-shun jee-oh-mor-fol-uh-jee]

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Ocean Geomorphology

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The scientific study of the landforms, features, and topography of the ocean floor and how they were formed.

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Example: This diagram shows a mid-ocean ridge, a major feature of ocean topography, formed by magma rising and pushing tectonic plates apart.

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Continental Margins Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl mar-jinz]

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Continental Margins

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The transitional zone between the continental crust of the land and the oceanic crust of the deep seafloor.

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Example: This cross-section diagram illustrates the continental margin, showing the transition from land to the deep ocean with its key parts: the continental 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, submerged edge of a continent that extends from the coastline to the steeper slope of the shelf break.

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Example: This diagram shows the continental shelf as the shallow, submerged edge of a continent, located between the coast and the steeper continental slope.

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Shelf Break Noun

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[shelf brayk]

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Shelf Break

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The outer edge of the continental shelf where the relatively flat seafloor begins to descend at a much steeper angle.

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Example: This diagram shows the continental shelf, a shallow underwater plain, and the steeper continental slope. The shelf break is the specific edge where the shelf ends.

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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 drop-off of the seafloor that connects the shallow continental shelf to the deep ocean floor.

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Submarine Canyons Noun

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[sub-muh-reen kan-yuhns]

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Submarine Canyons

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Deep, steep-sided valleys that are incised into the continental slope and sometimes the continental shelf.

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Example: This 3D map shows how submarine canyons are deep, steep-sided valleys that cut into the continental slope, similar to canyons on land.

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Turbidity Currents Noun

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[tur-bid-i-tee kur-ents]

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Turbidity Currents

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Rapid, downhill flows of water mixed with sediment, acting like underwater avalanches on the continental slope.

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Example: This diagram shows how turbidity currents, like underwater avalanches of mud and sand, flow down the continental slope and settle, forming layers of sediment deposits.

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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 area at the base of the continental slope, formed by the accumulation of transported sediments.

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Example: This diagram shows the Continental Rise as a gently sloped pile of sediment at the base of the steeper Continental Slope, leading to the flat Abyssal Plain.

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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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The vast, flat, and deep region of the ocean floor, typically covered by fine-grained sediments.

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Example: This diagram shows the abyssal plain as a wide, flat area on the deep ocean floor, situated between the continental slope and other features.

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Mid-Ocean Ridge Noun

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[mid-oh-shun rij]

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Mid-Ocean Ridge

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A continuous underwater mountain range formed by magma upwelling at a divergent tectonic plate boundary.

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Example: This diagram shows a mid-ocean ridge forming where two tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magma to rise from below and create new oceanic crust.