Exploring Oceans Definitions

pacific ocean 622.4 million km3

atlantic ocean 299.52 million km3

southern ocean

indian ocean 267.54 million km3

arctic ocean

mediterranean sea

caribbean sea

south china sea

bering sea

gulf of mexico

continental shelf

avg width 70km slope angle 2m per km

continental slope

200-3500m depth slope angle 70m per km

abyssal plain

deepest part of ocean

sea ridges

long underwater mountain chains with central rift valley in some areas

rifts

found in the middle of ridges as steep sided notches, form at constructive/divergent plate boundaries e.g. mid-atlantic ridge

hydrothermal vents

found on rifts releasing heated water and minerals

ocean trenches

long narrow deep depressions in ocean floor, form at destructive/convergent plate boundaries e.g. mariana trench

seamounts

chains of volcanic mountains and isolated peaks that don’t reach the surface

guyots

flat top peaks that once rose above the ocean but are marine eroded, provide evidence of changing sea level