Ocean Facts
• About 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by
oceans
• Scientists study the ocean floor by using Sonar
and satellites.
Also use submersibles (like submarines except
they can withstand lots of pressure) to collect
samples of the ocean floor.
Alvin is the name of one submersible.
Ocean Floor
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For Fifth Grade:
Continental Shelf
Continental Slope
Continental Rise
Abyssal Plain
Trench
Mid-Ocean Ridge
Ocean Floor
Diagram of the Ocean Floor
Ocean Floor Vocabulary
• Continental Shelf – is the shallow part of the
ocean that is close to the edge of the continent.
Living Organisms are abundant (lots) here
because this area gets the most sunlight.
• Continental Slope – located at the edge of the
shelf. Slopes down to the deep water of the
ocean basin
Ocean basin refers to the ocean floor
Ocean Floor Vocabulary
Continental Rise – gently sloping area made of
sediments washed down from the slope.
*sediments are particles (little pieces) of rock,
dirt, soil, & Shells.
Abyssal Plain – Flat area at the bottom of the
ocean floor
Trench – deep narrow valley.
Mid-Ocean Ridge – Under water mountain
range.
Diagram of Ocean Floor