1. The Ocean Floor Continental slope Volcanic island Continental shelf
Seamount
Continental
rise
Abyssal plain
trench
mid-ocean
ridge
Rift valley

2. Oceanography: The study of Earth’s oceans.
The Ocean Floor
Oceanography: The study of Earth’s oceans.
A. Continental Slope E. Island Arcs
B. Seamount F. Continental Shelf
C. Abyssal Plain G. Trench
D. The Mid-Ocean Ridge H. Continental Rise

3. A. Continental Slope CONNECTS CONTINENT TO OCEAN FLOOR
IS THE END OF CONTINENTAL CRUST
IS LIKE A CLIFF ON LAND

4. A. Continental Slope The continental slope begins at the shelf edge.
The steep gradient that leads to the deep ocean floor and marks the seaward edge of the continental shelf.
Slope is about the same as a movie theater aisle
slopes steeply from the continental shelf

5. B. Seamount and Island Chains
A steep-walled, pointy, volcano whose peak does not break the surface.
Sometimes go above ocean surface as a volcanic island
Is like a mountain or volcano on land.

6. B. Seamount and Island Chains
Can occur in chains or ridges and often have an active volcanic island at one end.
Hawaiian Islands are the best example.

7. C. Abyssal Plain The flat, smooth parts of the ocean floor
Contains sediments originating mostly from the continents,
Flattest places on Earth.

8. C. Abyssal Plain usually lies at the foot of the continental rise
Flattest areas on the planet
Not tectonically active

9. D. The Mid-Ocean Ridge System
A long chain of mountains with a central rift valley that is located along a divergent boundary on the ocean floor
Creates oceanic crust
Longest mountain chain in the world.
Covers about 1/3 of the ocean floor.

10. E. Island Arcs
Island arcs are chains of volcanically active islands that parallel deep-sea trenches formed by subduction zones.

11. F. Continental Shelf
Part of the continent that gently slopes from the shoreline to the continent’s edge. Some shelves stretch farther out into the ocean than others.

12. F. Continental Shelf
The continental shelf extends from the shoreline outward toward the slope.
Some shelves stretch farther out into the ocean than others.
The topography of a shelf is very flat and the width varies.
The Atlantic shelf is much wider than the Pacific
NOT PART OF THE OCEAN FLOOR
CONNECTS THE CONTINENT TO THE CONTINENTAL SLOPE

13. G. Deep Sea Trenches They are the deepest parts of the oceans
Happens at subduction zones (Convergent Boundaries)
Usually near a continent or volcanic island chain

14. G. Deep Sea Trenches IS LIKE A CANYON ON LAND
Marianas Trench (11km) is the deepest in the world
Also found at active continental margins like the west coast of the United States

15. H. Continental Rise
The gently sloping surface at the base of the continental slope H

16. H. Continental Rise
Lies at the base of the continental slope on oceanic crust and is generally several kilometers thick
Only occurs at passive continental margins like the east coast of the U.S.

17. Now, color anything below the ocean blue, and anything above the water brown.