These variations are expressed in terms of average sea surface height ssh relative to the earths geoid. These lumps of water, which are subtle, low, and wide on the. Arctic ocean topography of the ocean floor britannica. Arctic sea, one relies on charts of bottom topography that were. Ocean currents cannot pass through ridges or seamounts. Deep ocean floor can focus tsunami waves live science. The volume of the shaved cell, vi,j,k, is smaller than that of the unshaved cell, and the area of the faces of exchange between neighboring cells are also reduced. Consequently, mapping the sea floorbathymetryis an important.
Ocean floor topography features flashcards quizlet. Bathymetry is the measurement of ocean depths and the charting of the shape or topography of the ocean floor. The questions are outlined in three separate tables. Sea floor topography and backscatter intensity of the hudson. This retrospective paper chronicles the major progress realized in accurately mapping the static component of ocean surface topography and how as a result our knowledge of the global ocean floor s. A new digital bathymetric model of the worlds oceans epic awi. Ocean surface topography measurement physical oceanography. Explore the worlds most detailed map of the seafloor. 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. The floor of the oceans map topography of lands and oceans. Representation of topography by shaved cells in a height. As the topography of the continents are diverse, so is the ocean floor.
Variations in the topography of the ocean floor affects the gravitational pull which can be captured by radar altimeters on satellites. This is expensive and timeconsuming, so sonar maps are mostly only made of. Thus bathymetric measurements can determine the topography of the ocean floor, and have shown that the sea floor is varied, complex, and everchanging, containing plains, canyons, active and extinct volcanoes, mountain ranges, and hot springs. Mid ocean ridge a divergent boundary where plates are moving apart and new sea floor is forming guyot flat topped seamount seamount pointed mount abyssal hill hillsmounds within the abyssal plain. Apr 27, 2017 ocean floor topography and features 1. Both give the height of the ocean or land above the geoid. After the students classify the images under the specific descriptions of the ocean floor features, use the vocabulary label cards to label each column 6. The ocean floors can be divided into four major divisions. The antarctic circumpolar current acc, the gulf stream, and the kuroshio extension all steer around ridges and seamounts. Pdf morphological features in the bay of bengal researchgate. Maps compiled from seafloor topography data are offering a chance to virtually explore the ocean floor with the click of a mouse. Arctic ocean arctic ocean topography of the ocean floor. Pdf global sea floor topography from satellite altimetry.
Ocean surface topography is measured using a satellite altimeter. Sandwell developing the theory this dynamic earth, usgs. A separate page provides descriptions of bathymetric features of the ocean floor. The under water topography maps have been developed by the study of ocean floor topography.
Sea floor topography and ocean circulation introduction. Sea stacks, beaches, sea cliffs, lagoons, shore faces, wave cut platforms. Todays technologyparticularly sonar, satellites, and submersiblesallows. An oceanic basin is the land surface under an ocean that includes the topography under the water. Fortunately, researchers are able to use remote sensing to access the more remote areas of the ocean floor to create a complete map of the worlds oceans. The content and activities in this topic will work towards building an understanding of the physical features on the ocean floor.
About 10% of the mantle rock melts under these conditions, producing mafic magma. Ocean floor and its features geography notes for upsc ncert notes on. Global seafloor topography, wdc gmg, boulder rp1, poster. Explorations after 1950 revealed the true complex nature of the ocean floor.
The continental slope is the part of the ocean floor that extends downward from the continental shelf. To view files in pdf format, download free copy of adobe acrobat reader. Oct 06, 2014 fortunately, researchers are able to use remote sensing to access the more remote areas of the ocean floor to create a complete map of the worlds oceans. Data collected by satellites and remote sensing instruments were. This superdetailed map of the ocean floor s topography is based on satellite measurements of subtle lumps on the oceans surface. Introduction to questions on the topography of the ocean floor. This archived document is maintained by the oregon state library as part of the oregon documents depository program. Topography is most commonly represented in height coordinate ocean models as staircase or step topography used since bryan 1969, where the steps are chosen to. Bathyetry helps us understand where the oceanfloor features are and how deep the oceans are. The continental rise is the gently sloping section of the continental margin. Why the first complete map of the ocean floor is stirring controversial waters charting these watery depths could transform oceanography. Sea floor topography as shaded relief with backscatter intensity superimposed in color. Tens of thousands of excellent, educational videos in a huge, intuitive directory.
This superdetailed map of the ocean floors topography is based on satellite measurements of subtle lumps on the oceans surface. 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. Geology of the sea floor educational videos watchknowlearn. 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. Map of oregon coast showing topography and bathymetry. Ocean floor topography and features of the ocean floor. Use the ocean floor features teacher version, answer key to check student work. Precision orbit determination uses satellite tracking. Be careful when interpreting this diagram and others. The ocean floorfeatures underwater using sonar, seismic profiling, satellites, and underwater research vehicles, oceanographers have discovered that the topography, or shape of the ocean floor is quite similar to many of the dramatic sights we see on the landforms on earths continents. Ideal as a supplement to a curriculum or for independent study. 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.
This interactive flashbased viewer shows solid earth topography land height and sea depth of the entire globe based on the etopo2 data set. Typically, finelywrought ocean maps have been the result of extensive sonar. Ocean floor topography the study of numerous landforms that exist on or below the earth. Map depicting the depths of the oceans and land relief made in 1976. Pdf on jan 1, 2003, david thistle and others published the deepsea floor. Ocean surface topography data also have many other applications, such as in fisheries management, navigation and offshore operations. This study is extensive, and it has been established that the ocean floor has similar features of mountains and valleys as on the earth. The topography map shows seafloor structure while the gravity map includes subseafloor anomalies.
Researchers today published the most detailed map of the ocean floor ever produced. The ocean floor worksheets unit atlantic ocean floor topography lab 4th edition classical conversation science worksheets with chapter the ocean floor. Bathymetry refers to the underwater depth of lake or ocean floor. A topographic profile of the pacific ocean floor between japan and british columbia is shown in figure 18. Titration for cl led to the use of chlorinity units, also expressed as ppt. Sea floor topography and backscatter intensity of the. Ocean surface topography science mission directorate. Satellite altimetry combines precise orbit determination with accurate ranging by a microwave altimeter of the distance of ocean surface to the satellite to determine the ocean surface height relative to known reference surface or the center of the earth. The scripps sea floor map has also been used to discover a new microplate in the indian ocean. Twentyfive years of progress in sea floor mapping by. Ocean floor topography worksheet answers floor roma. The topography of the northern atlantic ocean is shown in figure 18. Warmer colors are indicative of higher elevations and cooler colors of. What is the ocean depth if the signal time of return is 5.
Google earth maps show the ocean floor like never before. Learn the ocean floor topography with free interactive flashcards. In addition to this poster, digital data will be available at a later date on cdrom. Gloria sidescansonar mosaic of the sea floor off oregon and. Images of estimated sea floor topography from satellite. Figure 1 shows estimates of the paths of the subantarctic and polar fronts, the two major jets that comprise the acc, superimposed over the seafloor topography of the. It could also aid deep sea miners looking for profit. Mapping the ocean floor geography of the ocean floor. The continental shelf is the shallow seabed just adjacent to the continents. Click card to see definition tap card to see definition area between the shoreline and the continental slope gradually sloping end of a continent that extends out. As will be demonstrated later, this is a very crude ap. Mar 12, 2012 deep ocean floor can focus tsunami waves.
Choose from 500 different sets of the ocean floor topography flashcards on quizlet. Ocean floor topography and features linkedin slideshare. Jun 10, 2011 maps compiled from seafloor topography data are offering a chance to virtually explore the ocean floor with the click of a mouse. In this computer model of the ocean floor north of puerto rico, caribbean sea, western central atlantic ocean basin, the purple areas indicate the puerto rico trench, 8. Bathymetry is part of mapping the ocean floor because it is the study. Data collected by satellites and remote sensing instruments were used to created a model at least twice as. This positive topographic high is surrounded by abandoned channels with levees. Students imagine what it might be like from the edge of a continent down to the deepest part of the ocean. Ocean floor topography involves the study of ocean bottom features, including the outer continental shelf, continental slopes and ocean waves desktops. Click on the following figures for larger images in pdf format.
Designed for teachers, students, parents, homeschoolers, educators and all lifelong learners. The geoid is the shape the sea surface would have if all the currents and tides stopped. Ocean and land topography are defined exactly the same way. Bathymetry ocean floor topography words to know submarine canyon an underwater canyon possibly an old river channel. Why the first complete map of the ocean floor is stirring. This is expensive and timeconsuming, so sonar maps are mostly only made of places where ships spend the most time. Oceanfloor bathymetry the term bathymetry is defined as the depth of water relative to sea level.