Name________________________________Class________________________Date__________________
12-4 Exploring the Ocean
 Understanding Main Ideas
Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What factors make it difficult to explore the ocean floor?
2. Describe the process of sea-floor spreading.
 Building Vocabulary
Match each letter on this diagram with one of the terms listed below. Write the letter on the line before
each term. Then define each term in your own words in the spaces provided.
_____3. mid-ocean ridge_____________________________________________________________
_____4. trench____________________________________________________________________
_____5. continental slope____________________________________________________________
_____6. abyssal plain_______________________________________________________________
_____7. seamount__________________________________________________________________
_____8. continental shelf____________________________________________________________
_____9. volcanic island_____________________________________________________________