Basic Configuration of Bottom Relief of the Ocean
Based on the depth and different relief patterns, the Bottom Relief of the Ocean can be divided into four major divisions. It includes Continental Shelf, Continental Slope, Abyssal Plains and Submarine Trenches. Let us discuss in detail.
| Aspects | Continental Shelf | Continental Slope | Continental Rise | Abyssal Plains |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Shallow submerged extension of a continent. | Sloping segment from the land edge to the deep ocean floor. | Transition zone connecting slope to deep sea. | Flat, featureless expanses on the deep-sea floor. |
| Depth | Typically ranges from 120 to 370 meters deep. | Depths vary from 180 to 3600 meters below sea level. | Gradual decrease in depth towards the deep ocean floor. | Extends from 3000 to 6000 meters below sea level. |
| Width | Varies significantly, from a few kilometers to over 100 kilometers wide. | The average width of a continental slope is 25 miles. | The continental rise is a part of the continental margin. It can be as narrow as 15 miles and as wide as 228 miles. | The largest abyssal plain on Earth is the Sohm Plain. It is 900,000 square kilometers in size. |
| Sediment Deposits | Continental shelves hold significant sediment deposits. | Few sediments due to steepness and distance from land. | Belt of sediment deposits. | Covered with sediments, including organic matter. |
| Biodiversity | Rich in marine life due to shallow depths and sunlight. | Lower biodiversity compared to shelf due to depth and slope. | Lower biodiversity compared to shelf and rise. | Lower biodiversity compared to shallower regions. |
| Notable Features | Contains coral reefs and underwater valleys. | Characterized by steep slopes with few features. | Transitional zone where slope levels out. | Features undersea plateaus, hills, and mountains. |
| Sedimentary Formation | They are formed from different organic and inorganic materials carried by rivers, glaciers, and ice sheets. | Sediments accumulate at the bottom of the slope. | Accumulation of sediment between slope and deep ocean. | Formed by the buildup of sediments and organic material. |
Bottom Relief of Ocean| Class 11 Geography
The Bottom Relief of the Ocean describes the whole shape of the seafloor with its height above sea level and depth with the shape of its bottom relief. The bottom relief of a sea includes the different sizes of mountains, hills, so many ridges, plains, and different valleys. These oceanic features have some differences from the continental features as they belong to the Oceanic crust. The Oceanic crust is 60-70 million years old. The oceans cover 69% of the total earth’s surface. On the other hand, the continents cover 29% of the whole earth’s surface.
In this article, we are going to discuss the Bottom Relief of the Ocean in detail.
Bottom Relief of Ocean| Class 11 Geography