Introduction to Ocean Vocabulary for 4th grade

1. Ocean Exploration Vocabulary
Unit C, Chapter 3

2. Continental Shelf
• The shallow part of
the ocean at the
edge of the
continents

3. Continental Slope
• The edge of the
continental shelf
that extends steeply
downward to the
ocean floor.

4. Ocean Basin
• The floor of
the deep
ocean

5. Trench
• A deep, narrow
valley in the ocean
floor

6. Ridge
• The highest part of a chain of
underwater mountains.

7. Current
• A river like flow water in the ocean.

8. Tide
• The rise and fall of
the surface level of
the ocean.

9. Wave
• The up-and-down
movement of ocean
water caused by the
wind.

10. Light Zone
• The sunlit waters
of the ocean

11. Dark Zone
• The ocean water
where sunlight
does not reach.

12. Coral Reef
• A platform or ridge of coral at or
near the ocean surface.