Oceanography chpt. 3

exam 1

sedimentary material that deposits with the largest material on the bottom and the smallest at the top is called what?

graded bedding

why does the Atlantic Ocean have few ocean trenches compared to the Pacific Ocean?

the Pacific Ocean has many convergent boundaries.

why are there fewer abyssal plains in the Pacific Ocean compared to the Atlantic?

Trenched in the Pacific trap sediment

How were submarine canyons formed?

they were carved by turbidity currents

Original soundings of the ocean depth were performed by what method?

lowering weighted lines off the side of the boat.

the areas of the ocean that are very deep and predominantly flat are called what?

abyssal plains

which structure is in the center of the mid-ocean ridge?

rift valley

what produces volcanic arcs alongside oceanic trenches?

the friction generated by a subducting plate results in rising molten material

what are the three major ocean provinces, from nearest to the shoreline to the middle of the ocean?

continental margin, deep-ocean basin, mid-ocean ridge

what is the area of the ocean that is located away from plate boundaries and does not have tectonic activity?

passive margin

what is the area of the ocean with large amounts of tectonic activity due to the close proximity to the plate boundaries?

active margin

what is the continental slope?

the are from the shelf break to the deep ocean

what is the measurement and charting of the ocean depth called?

bathymetry

why is the continental shelf of the East Coast of the United Stated significantly wider than the shelf of the West Coast?

the continental shelf of the East Coast is on a passive margin and the West Coast is on an active margin.