Mapping the Ocean Floor
You are going to draw a profile of the sea floor under the Atlantic Ocean. You will use actual
measurements taken from a ship during a research voyage between Nova Scotia (Sambro) and
France (Soulac).
Station
Longitude
Depth to ocean
Procedure:
1. Make a graph like the one shown below. Label the
axes and give the graph a title.
Title
0
Depth (m)
number
1
(° West)
1
floor (m)
0
2
4
125
3
5
4250
4
10
4750
5
15
4500
6
20
4250
7
25
3250
8
27
2250
9
28
1750
10
30
3000
11
33
3500
12
35
4250
2. The data table on the right shows a series of
depths to the ocean floor. The measurements
were taken at 19 different points along a line.
13
40
3750
14
45
3500
15
48
1000
16
50
75
3. Plot each data point on your graph. Connect the
points with a smooth line.
17
55
100
18
60
75
19
64
0
0
Longitude (° West)
Analysis:
When you have completed the graph, answer the following questions.
1. On your graph label: abyssal plain (twice), continental shelf (twice), continental slope
(twice) and mid-ocean ridge.
2. How would you expect the ocean floor to look at the abyssal plain?
Physiographic Sea Floor Chart Questions
1. What is the name of the area of ocean floor spreading in the Atlantic Ocean?
2. What is the name of the area of ocean floor spreading in the Pacific Ocean?
3. What is the name of the area of ocean floor spreading in the Indian Ocean?
4. Name of the most northern trench found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
5. Name of the north western (connected to answer 4) trench found on the floor of the Pacific Ocean.
6. Give the name of the deepest ocean trench and in what ocean it is found.
7. Name a trench in the Indian Ocean.
8. Name the closest trench to Nova Scotia.
9. Name the seamounts that are closest to Nova Scotia.
10. Name a volcanic island found on a ridge in the Atlantic Ocean.
11. What is the Continental Shelf area off Newfoundland called?
12. Name a volcanic island group in the Atlantic Ocean that appears to have moved off a spreading
ridge.
13. Name the famous volcanic islands found in the middle of the Pacific Ocean plate.
14. Name the large flat area of the ocean floor to the south of Nova Scotia.