Ocean Floor Features: Ocean Trenches and Volcanic Arcs
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Transcript of Ocean Floor Features: Ocean Trenches and Volcanic Arcs
© 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
Ocean Trenches and Volcanic Arcs
Convergent margins generate ocean trenches.Deepest part of oceansMost in Pacific OceanDeepest trench – Mariana Trench at
11,022 meters (36,161 feet)
Volcanic arc on nonsubducted ocean plateMay produce island arc, e.g., Japan
Continental arc on land
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Pacific Ring of FireMargins of Pacific Ocean
Majority of world’s active volcanoes and earthquakes
Marked by convergent boundaries
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Ocean Trenches and Ring of Fire
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Mid-Ocean RidgeLongest mountain chain
On average, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) above surrounding sea floor
Wholly volcanic
Basaltic lava
Divergent plate boundary
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Mid-Ocean Ridge
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Mid-Ocean Ridge FeaturesCentral rift valley downdropped by seafloor
spreadingFissures and faults in rift valley
Seamounts – tall volcanoes
Pillow lava or pillow basalt – shapes formed when hot basaltic lava quickly cools
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Mid-Ocean Ridge FeaturesSeamount Pillow lava
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Mid-ocean Ridge FeaturesHydrothermal VentsSea floor hot springs
Foster unusual deep-ocean ecosystems able to survive without sunlight
Warm water vents – temperatures below 30°C (86°F)
White smokers – temperatures from 30–350°C (86–662°F)
Black smokers – temperatures above 350°C (662°F)
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Hydrothermal Vents
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Fracture Zones and Transform Faults
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Transform Faults and Fracture Zones
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Oceanic IslandsVolcanic activity
Hotspots
Island arcs