Quiz for Oceanography Chapter 4

Area of irregular, seismically inactive topography marking the position of a once-active transform fault.

Chaotic fluid flow

The continental margin near an area of lithospheric plate convergence; also called Pacific-type margin.

Accumulation, usually of sediments.

The gradually sloping submerged extension of a continent, composed of granitic rock overlain by sediments; has features similar to the edge of the nearby continent.

An arc-shaped depression in the deep-ocean floor with very steep sides and a flat sediment-filled bottom coinciding with a subduction zone. Most trenches occur in the Pacific.

Small sediment-covered inactive volcano or intrusion of molten rock less than 200 meters (650 feet) high, thought to be associated with seafloor spreading. Abyssal hills punctuate the otherwise flat Abyssal plain.

One of several periods (lasting several thousand years each) of low temperature during the last million years. Glaciers and polar ice were derived from ocean water, lowering sea level at least 100 meters (328 feet).

An underwater "avalanche" of abrasive sediments thought responsible for the deep sculpturing of submarine canyons and a means of transport for sediments accumulating on abyssal plains.

Small sediment-covered inactive volcano or intrusion of molten rock less than 200 meters (650 feet) high, thought to be associated with seafloor spreading. Abyssal hills punctuate the otherwise flat Abyssal plain.

Young seabed at the active spreading center of an ocean, often unmasked by sediment, bulging above the abyssal plain. The boundary between deverging plates. Often called a mid-ocean ridge, though less than 60% of the length exists at mid-ocean.

A deep, V-shaped valley running roughly perpendicular to the shoreline and cutting across the edge of the continental shelf and slope.

The 23*27' "tilt" of Earth's rotational axis relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun.

A plane along which rock masses slide horizontally past one another.

A spring of hot, mineral and gas rich seawater found on some oceanic ridges in zones of active seafloor spreading.

The continental margin near an area of lithospheric plate convergence; also called Pacific-type margin.

An arc-shaped depression in the deep-ocean floor with very steep sides and a flat sediment-filled bottom coinciding with a subduction zone. Most trenches occur in the Pacific.

One of several periods (lasting several thousand years each) of low temperature during the last million years. Glaciers and polar ice were derived from ocean water, lowering sea level at least 100 meters (328 feet).

An underwater "avalanche" of abrasive sediments thought responsible for the deep sculpturing of submarine canyons and a means of transport for sediments accumulating on abyssal plains.

A deep, V-shaped valley running roughly perpendicular to the shoreline and cutting across the edge of the continental shelf and slope.

Area of irregular, seismically inactive topography marking the position of a once-active transform fault.

The continental margin near an area of lithospheric plate divergence; also called Atlantic-type margin.

A flat-topped, submerged inactive volcano.

The discovery and study of submerged contours.

A circular or elliptical projection from the seafloor, more than 1 kilometer (0.8 mile) in height, with a relatively steep slope of 20* to 25*.

An arc-shaped depression in the deep-ocean floor with very steep sides and a flat sediment-filled bottom coinciding with a subduction zone. Most trenches occur in the Pacific.

Curving chain of volcanic islands and seamounts almost always found paralleling the concave edge of a trench.

A sudden motion of Earth's crust resulting from waves in Earth caused by faulting of the rocks or by volcanic activity.

The discovery and study of submerged contours.

Curving chain of volcanic islands and seamounts almost always found paralleling the concave edge of a trench.

Accumulation, usually of sediments.

Deep-ocean floor made of basaltic crust. Compare continental margin.

Area of irregular, seismically inactive topography marking the position of a once-active transform fault.

The sloping transition between the granite of the continent and the basalt of the seabed; the true edge of the continent.

The continental margin near an area of lithospheric plate convergence; also called Pacific-type margin.

The submerged outer edge of a continent, made of granitic crust; includes the continental shelf and continental slope. Compare ocean basin.

Area of irregular, seismically inactive topography marking the position of a once-active transform fault.

A sudden motion of Earth's crust resulting from waves in Earth caused by faulting of the rocks or by volcanic activity.

The continental margin near an area of lithospheric plate divergence; also called Atlantic-type margin.

A deep, V-shaped valley running roughly perpendicular to the shoreline and cutting across the edge of the continental shelf and slope.