Exploring Ocean Floor Features

What is the primary geological process responsible for the formation of mid-ocean ridges?

• Subduction of tectonic plates

• Divergence of tectonic plates

• Erosion by ocean currents

• Sedimentation

Which of the following best describes an ocean trench?

• A flat, expansive area of the ocean floor

• A steep-sided valley on the ocean floor

• A submerged mountain range

• A shallow, gently sloping area near the coast

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Seamounts are primarily formed by which geological process?

• Erosion by ocean currents

• Volcanic activity

• Sedimentation

• Tectonic plate collision

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

What distinguishes a guyot from a seamount?

• A guyot is taller than a seamount

• A guyot has a flat top, while a seamount has a pointed top

• A guyot is formed by erosion, while a seamount is formed by sedimentation

• A guyot is found only in the Atlantic Ocean

Which of the following is a characteristic feature of continental shelves?

• They are the deepest parts of the ocean

• They are flat, expansive areas of the ocean floor

• They are shallow, gently sloping areas extending from the coast

• They are steep-sided valleys on the ocean floor

Abyssal plains are primarily composed of which type of sediment?

• Coarse sand and gravel

• Fine-grained clay and silt

• Volcanic ash

• Coral fragments

Which oceanic feature is typically associated with hydrothermal vents?

• Ocean trenches

• Mid-ocean ridges

• Continental shelves

• Abyssal plains

What is the average depth of ocean trenches?

• 200 meters

• 2,000 meters

• 6,000 meters

• 11,000 meters

Which of the following statements is true about abyssal plains?

• They are the most geologically active areas of the ocean floor

• They are covered with thick layers of sediment

• They are characterized by steep slopes

• They are located near the coastlines

What is the primary reason for the flat tops of guyots?

• Erosion by ocean currents

• Volcanic eruptions

• Tectonic uplift

• Coral reef growth