2. The ocean floor
Many of the important features of the oceans are
hidden in deep water.
The continental margin is the region around
continents that includes the:
continental shelf,
continental slope, and
continental rise.
3. The continental shelf
Sand drifting down the steep face of a
continental shelf cuts into the shelf just like
streams cut into valleys.
4. Features of the ocean floor
Maps can show the
location of the
continental shelf.
The true ocean floor
is called the abyssal
plain.
It is flat and smooth
because a thick layer
of sediment covers
its features.
5. The deep ocean floor
A barrier island is a low,
sandy island that lies
parallel to the
shoreline.
A bank is a low, flat
region on the
continental shelf.
A seamount is a steep-
sided mountain that
rises from the ocean
floor.
6. The deep ocean floor
A guyot is a seamount
that has eroded so that
it has a flat top and is
underwater.
Mid-ocean ridges mark
places where two
tectonic plates are
separating and new
ocean crust is being
made.
Deep-ocean trenches are the deepest parts of the
ocean.
7.
8. Investigation 22C
Global Winds and Ocean Currents
Key Question:
How do temperature and salinity cause ocean
layering?
9. Rip Currents
More than 80% of
water rescues
performed by surf
beach lifeguards are
due to rip currents.
Rip currents are sometimes called riptides, or
undertow. Learn why these two terms are
misleading.