Ocean GeographyOcean Geography

1. Earth’s Interior1. Earth’s Interior

Interior of the Earth:Interior of the Earth:

Three main levels:Three main levels:• CrustCrust• MantleMantle• CoreCore

Volume Volume Distribution:Distribution:• Core – 15%Core – 15%• Mantle – 85%Mantle – 85%• Crust - >1%Crust - >1%

CrustCrust

Since it is the only accessible layer, we know the Since it is the only accessible layer, we know the most about it. most about it.

Consists of layered rocks located on 12 platesConsists of layered rocks located on 12 plates The The MOHOMOHO separates the crust from the mantle separates the crust from the mantle Crust slides around on liquid mantleCrust slides around on liquid mantle 5 km to 70 km in depth5 km to 70 km in depth

PlatesPlates

How the Plates Move:How the Plates Move:

Sea Floor Spreading:Sea Floor Spreading:

Two types of crust, Continental & OceanicTwo types of crust, Continental & Oceanic Oceanic crust is constantly being reformedOceanic crust is constantly being reformed When it meets the continental crust it When it meets the continental crust it

subducts into the mantle because it is subducts into the mantle because it is more densemore dense

Mantle:Mantle:

Heat from the core drives the Heat from the core drives the convection in the mantle which in convection in the mantle which in turn drives plate tectonicsturn drives plate tectonics

Makes up the majority of the Earth’s Makes up the majority of the Earth’s volumevolume

Solid, though ductile enough it flows Solid, though ductile enough it flows on a long enough period of timeon a long enough period of time

CoreCore

Liquid outer coreLiquid outer core Solid inner coreSolid inner core Much is speculated Much is speculated

about its about its compositioncomposition

Ocean GeographyOcean Geography

2. Ocean Floor Features2. Ocean Floor Features

Ocean Floor FeaturesOcean Floor Features

Continental Shelf – Shallow, sloping region Continental Shelf – Shallow, sloping region that extends beyond the continentthat extends beyond the continent

Continental Slope – Steep drop off located Continental Slope – Steep drop off located at the end of the continental shelfat the end of the continental shelf

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

of the ocean floorof the ocean floor

Ocean Floor Features:Ocean Floor Features:

Mid Ocean Ridge – Mountain range in the Mid Ocean Ridge – Mountain range in the ocean created usually by diverging or ocean created usually by diverging or converging platesconverging plates

Trench – deep steep side CanyonsTrench – deep steep side Canyons

Ocean Geography:Ocean Geography:

3. Land & Water Features3. Land & Water Features

BayBay

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

Strait/SoundStrait/Sound

Water passage that Water passage that connects two connects two bodies of water or bodies of water or water wayswater ways

DeltaDelta

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

SeaSea

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

CapeCape

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

PeninsulaPeninsula

A piece of land A piece of land surrounded on surrounded on three sides by three sides by waterwater

LakeLake

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

FjordFjord

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