Questions and Answers
Ocean terms and definitions
1.
An incline between the outer edge of the continental shelf and the deep ocean floor.
Continental slope
2.
The build up of sediments at the base of the continental slope.
Continental Rise
3.
Long chains of mountains on the ocean floors. Along the ridges, lava erupts and forms new ocean floor.
Mid-Ocean ridge
4.
A measure of the amount of salt dissolved in the ocean water.
salinity
5.
The weather conditions prevailing in an area in general or over a long period.
Climate
6.
Technology that uses sound waves to measure distances from the ocean floor to the surface.
Sonar
7.
A motorized vehicle designed to go into the depths of the ocean to explore new areas.
submerssable
8.
Waves that are caused by an earthquake beneath the ocean floor.
Tsunami
9.
An underwater mountain
Seamount
10.
The shallow zone of water along the edge of the continents. This where you will find most coral reefs.
Continental shelf
11.
Land under the ocean.
Ocean floor
12.
Caused by wind and ocean currents.
Waves
13.
The movement of water and air caused by rotation of the earth.
Coriolis effect
14.
A smooth, nearly flat region of the deep ocean floor that is covered with thick layers of mud
Abyssal plain
15.
The coming in and going out of the ocean waters every 12 hours. Caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the Earth.
tides
16.
A large stream of moving water that flows through the oceans. Currents carry water from one place to another.
Ocean Current
17.
Movement of energy through a body of water.
wave
18.
A piece of land that has been created from active volcanoes in the ocean. An island is surrounded by water completely.
volcanic Island
19.
The shore is the land at the edge of the ocean. This land also extends inland from the shore line.
coastal plain
20.
A long, deep valley on the ocean floor
Ocean trench