This is a california state science standardsbased project dealing with the ocean floor and its topography. The brilliant colors on this map let you easily visualize the sea floorwith the colors corresponding to ocean floor depth measurements. Be careful when interpreting this diagram and others like it, because in order to show the various features clearly the vertical axis is exaggerated, in this case by about 200 times. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics. The method smith and sandwell, science 277, 19561962, 1997 is an improvement on one developed earlier for geosat data south of 30 degrees s smith and sandwell, j. This is a great way to get your students out of their chairs and on their feet to learn about the ocean floor.
The lithosphere includes both the crust and the solid part of the a. In this chapter, you will learn how scientists gather data about the depth of the ocean floor and how these data are displayed to indicate the shape of earths ocean basins. This product is intended to aid fishermen and those needing seafloor features and potential fishing grounds. White paper in support of a highresolution, ocean altimeter mission april 5, 2001. Learning ocean science through ocean exploration section 2. Topographic maps of the sea floor, produced at a 1. Topographytopography is the study of earths surface shape and features.
Seafloor topography and ocean circulation the oceanography. The map serves as a tool for performing scientific, engineering, marine. Explorations after 1950 revealed the true complex nature of the ocean floor. This study is extensive, and it has been established that the ocean floor has similar features of mountains and valleys as on the earth. Bathymetric maps depict the topography of the seafloor. The ocean trenches are deep valleys that cut into the ocean floor. The lithosphere includes both the crust and the solid part of the. Ncei is the official distribution point for nos bathymetric maps, bathymetricfishing maps, regional maps, geophysical maps, and preliminary maps. Satellite geodesy, igpp, sio, ucsd global topography. Here we focus on those processes that produce smaller scale sea floor topography and structure in the oceanic crust. This new bathymetry data is based on the data compiled by the scripps institute. Gloria sidescansonar mosaic of the sea floor off oregon and.
Suppose you took a trip across the atlantic ocean and were able to check the depth of the water under your boat at regular intervals. The ocean floor worksheets unit atlantic ocean floor topography lab 4th edition classical conversation science worksheets with chapter the ocean floor. Interpolating a topographical map of the ocean floor. The detailed topography of this sea floor map is the most accurate in printdeveloped by combining all available depth soundings collected from noaa satellite technology and radar altimeters. Unfortunately, most of todays topographic databases do not adequately resolve smallscale features. Jul 19, 2018 all ocean floor diagram library wiring ocean floor lesson ideas science projects earth ocean floor topography quizlet apa4 the ocean floor science changes in landforms and oceans. Describe the major features of the ocean floor and explain how the ocean floor is mapped. In fact, the tallest mountains and deepest canyons are found on the ocean floor. The data table shows a record of the depth of the atlantic ocean measured by a research vessel travelling on course due east along 39on latitude.
Mapping ocean depths matthew maury the father of oceanography constructed the first oceanwide bathymetric map n. The main purpose of measuring ocean surface topography is to understand. The map is packaged in a two inch diamater clear plastic tube. Consequently, mapping the sea floorbathymetryis an important. Explore the worlds most detailed map of the seafloor. The surface topography of mars was mapped already in 1998 and 1999 by nasas mars orbiter laser altimeter mola. Feb 28, 20 bing maps just got a large update that brings a more detailed map of the ocean floor to microsofts mapping service. Arctic, topography and bathymetry topographic map grid. First of all, the atlantic ocean extends both into the arctic and. Surprisingly fine scale details are evident in observations of near shore depths. Topographic steering and mixing associated with entrainment are discussed by gille et al. The winters are long and cold and with periods with no sun polar night. While statistics on ocean depth and topography are often quoted, how they.
Includes the mariana trench the deepest place on earth and the aleutian trench, along with hundreds of islands labeled by their sovereignty. Ocean surface topography or sea surface topography, also called ocean dynamic topography, are highs and lows on the ocean surface, similar to the hills and valleys of earths land surface depicted on a topographic map. Ocean surface topography is the height of the ocean surface relative to a level of no motion defined by the geoid, a surface of constant geopotential, and provides information on tides, circulation, and the distribution of heat and mass in the earths global ocean. These variations are expressed in terms of average sea surface height ssh relative to the earths geoid. Continental drift, sea floor spreading and plate tectonics plate tectonics is a theory developed in the late 1960s, to explain how the outer layers of the earth move and deform. The abyssal plain is a relatively flat area that covers most of the ocean floor and is the deepest part of the ocean floor. Pdf a digital bathymetric map of the oceans with a horizontal resolution of 1 to 12 kilometers was derived by combining available depth soundings with. Ocean floor topography the study of numerous landforms that exist on or below the earth. Topographic profile through the submerged part of a typical passive. The arctic represents the northermost area of the world, the arctic ocean and the land areas that surrounds it.
Several outstanding topographic features distinguish the atlantic ocean from the pacific and indian oceans. Abyssal hillsabyssal hills hills along the ocean floor. Unfortunately, most of todays topographic databases do not adequately resolve smallscale. Researchers today published the most detailed map of the ocean floor ever produced. This is particularly true of the north atlantic ocean, the home ground of many oceanographic research institutions. Bathymetry 15 an ocean of weather in islands in the stream 2002 finding the way from deep east 2001 at the edge of the continent in islands in the stream 2002 mapping seamounts in the gulf of alaska from exploring alaskas seamounts 2002. Ranging in height and diameter, these hills are much larger than the hills we see on land.
Imaging the sea floor usgs publications repository. From the late 19th century, when the norwegian explorer fridtjof nansen first discovered an ocean in the central arctic, until the middle of the 20th century, it was believed that the arctic ocean was a single large basin. Clicking on a particular region will open a new window showing the zoomed in region in more detail. The outer rocky layer of the earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jigsaw puzzle floating on top of the earths hot flowing mantle. The atlantic ocean a glance at the distribution of high quality ocean data figure 2. Learn the ocean floor topography with free interactive flashcards. Arctic ocean topography of the ocean floor britannica. Detailed depth contours provide the size, shape and distribution of underwater features. If you are looking for more resources concerning energy, take a look at our big unit bundles. Pdf all major oceans and seas vary in their sizes, shape, depth, areal.
Choose from 500 different sets of the ocean floor topography flashcards on quizlet. Be sure students understand that each data point represents the depth of water at the location described by the geographic coordinates. Mar 11, 2017 topographytopography is the study of earths surface shape and features. The deep ocean is dark, cold, and under high pressure pressure of overlying water column on the ocean floor is 600 atmospheres. Bathymetry, the shape of the ocean floor, is largely a result of a process called plate tectonics. Connections between ocean bottom topography and earths climate. Echo sounder seismic reflection profiler sound source and hydrophone mapping ocean depths.
The outer rocky layer of the earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jig. Ocean floor topography features flashcards quizlet. The summers are short, but with long periods of daylight midnight sun. The first group to answer correctly receives a point. Explore the ridges, vents, deep sea life, and terrain of the pacific with this physical map of the ocean floor. A volcanic island is a piece of land that forms by volcanic activity at the ocean floor and the resulting build up of lava. Since only largescale topo graphic features of the sea floor are expected to steer largescale circulation, topography was smoothed to. Ocean topography is the study of the ocean floor and the features of which. Before scientists invented sonar, many people believed the ocean floor was a completely flat surface. We know very little about the deep ocean floor and the life it holds due to the depth and the difficulties this creates for scientists.
Data collected by satellites and remote sensing instruments were used to created a model at least twice as. G4 u8 l2 lesson 2 into the deep national oceanic and. The depth to the ocean floor and the roughness of the bottom vary throughout the oceans as a result of numerous geologic processes. Surface area and the seabed area, volume, depth, slope, and. The scripps sea floor map has also been used to discover a. Todays technologyparticularly sonar, satellites, and submersiblesallows. Bing maps just got a large update that brings a more detailed map of the ocean floor to microsofts mapping service. Ocean floor topography and features of the ocean floor. The group with the most points at the end is the winning group. Global seafloor topography, wdc gmg, boulder rp1, poster. Examine detailed maps of seafloor topography for the appropriate areas of the ocean, naming the specific features that occur at designated locations. The new topographic map is visually quite different from the satellite gravity field. In fact, it has been said that we know more about the surface of the moon than about the deeper ocean trenches.
Each group will write their answer on the white board and hold it up for the teacher to see. Ocean floor topography earth and space science, seafloor. The tube has a decorative label showing a thumbnail of the map with dimensions. Recognition of topographic features on the seafloor. The ocean floor is flat, except where islands protrude above the surface. The under water topography maps have been developed by the study of ocean floor topography. The arctic ocean is one basin that is mostly covered by sea ice, and. The ocean floor has far more varied topography than the land areas, with higher and longer. Multibeam sonar mapping the deepocean floor 78 the noaa ship okeanos explorer education materials collection oceanexplorernoaagov system during the indexsatal 2010 expedition. The maps below have been sectioned into 16 clickable regions. The region is characterized but cold temperatures, and ice and snow. The resource links provided below are categorized by.
Arctic ocean arctic ocean topography of the ocean floor. Pacific ocean floor tubed map national geographic maps. University of california pdf describing sea floor spreading and effect of earths magnetic field. The depth to the upper surface of an ideal south pacific oceanic lithosphere is calculated by applying a wellknown thermal subsidence equation to a grid of ocean floor ages that is generated. Mapping the ocean floor click here for lower level graphing experience. Global sea floor topography from satellite altimetry and ship depth soundings article pdf available in science 2775334. Ocean floor topography worksheet answers floor roma. All ocean floor diagram library wiring ocean floor lesson ideas science projects earth ocean floor topography quizlet apa4 the ocean floor science changes in landforms and oceans. Ocean floor features national oceanic and atmospheric. A topographic profile of the pacific ocean floor between japan and british columbia is shown in figure 18. Students are to draw the given crosssection of the ocean floor in class and then draw and label it again on large poster paper. Seafloor topography and ocean circulation article pdf available in oceanography washington d. A large, flattopped seamount resulting from erosion of an island volcano when it was above sea level. This is a cut and paste parts of the ocean floor worksheet.
Ocean floor topography involves the study of ocean bottom features, including the outer continental shelf, continental slopes and ocean waves desktops. Since the development of the theory, geologists have had to reexamine almost every aspect of. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Pdf global sea floor topography from satellite altimetry and. Gebco seabed 2030 roadmap for future ocean floor mapping.
Here, we discuss the influence of tidal mixing on ocean. Be very careful when interpreting this diagram and others like it, because in order to show the various features clearly the vertical axis is exaggerated, in this case by about 200 times. Interpolating a topographical map of the ocean floor q2 4 q1 4 0 x 4 fig. Bathymetry is the measurement of ocean depths and the charting of the shape or topography of the ocean floor.
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