Ocean Geography 1. Earth’s Interior

Interior of the Earth: Three main levels: Three main levels: CrustCrust MantleMantle CoreCore Volume Distribution: Volume Distribution: Core – 15%Core – 15% Mantle – 85%Mantle – 85% Crust - >1%Crust - >1%

Density increasing

Crust Since it is the only accessible layer, we know the most about it. Since it is the only accessible layer, we know the most about it. Consists of layered rocks located on 12 plates Consists of layered rocks located on 12 plates The MOHO separates the crust from the mantle The MOHO separates the crust from the mantle Crust slides around on liquid mantle Crust slides around on liquid mantle 5 km to 70 km in depth 5 km to 70 km in depth

Plates

How the Plates Move:

Sea Floor Spreading: Two types of crust, Continental & Oceanic Two types of crust, Continental & Oceanic Oceanic crust is constantly being reformed Oceanic crust is constantly being reformed When it meets the continental crust it subducts into the mantle because it is more dense When it meets the continental crust it subducts into the mantle because it is more dense

Mantle: Heat from the core drives the convection in the mantle which in turn drives plate tectonics Heat from the core drives the convection in the mantle which in turn drives plate tectonics Makes up the majority of the Earth’s volume Makes up the majority of the Earth’s volume Solid, though ductile enough it flows on a long enough period of time Solid, though ductile enough it flows on a long enough period of time

Core Liquid outer core Liquid outer core Solid inner core Solid inner core Much is speculated about its composition Much is speculated about its composition

Ocean Geography 2. Ocean Floor Features

Ocean Floor Features Continental Shelf – Shallow, sloping region that extends beyond the continent Continental Shelf – Shallow, sloping region that extends beyond the continent Continental Slope – Steep drop off located at the end of the continental shelf Continental Slope – Steep drop off located at the end of the continental shelf

Ocean Floor Features Abyss – deeper regions of the ocean Abyss – deeper regions of the ocean Abyssal Plain – nearly flat, smooth region of the ocean floor Abyssal Plain – nearly flat, smooth region of the ocean floor

Ocean Floor Features: Mid Ocean Ridge – Mountain range in the ocean created usually by diverging or converging plates Mid Ocean Ridge – Mountain range in the ocean created usually by diverging or converging plates Trench – deep steep side Canyons Trench – deep steep side Canyons

Ocean Geography: 3. Land & Water Features

Bay A body of water surrounded on three sides by land A body of water surrounded on three sides by land

Strait/Sound Water passage that connects two bodies of water or water ways Water passage that connects two bodies of water or water ways

Delta A landform created from the deposits of a river as it enters a sea or ocean A landform created from the deposits of a river as it enters a sea or ocean

Sea Usually a large body of salty water connected to an ocean Usually a large body of salty water connected to an ocean

Cape A long pointed piece of land that sticks out into an ocean, lake, or sea A long pointed piece of land that sticks out into an ocean, lake, or sea

Peninsula A piece of land surrounded on three sides by water A piece of land surrounded on three sides by water

Lake Body of water surrounded on all sides by land, very large ones are sometimes called seas Body of water surrounded on all sides by land, very large ones are sometimes called seas

Fjord Long narrow sea inlet border on the sides by steep cliffs Long narrow sea inlet border on the sides by steep cliffs