Name: _____________________________Homeroom:_______________________ Date: _________________
Ocean Landforms Study Guide—Test Wednesday 10/7
1. What is the continental shelf?
The ocean floor along the coast of a continent
It can be very shallow or very deep
2. What is the continental slope?
Steep slope where the continental shelf drops to the bottom of the ocean floor
3. What is the mid-ocean ridge?
The central ridge or mountain range that divides the ocean floor into two parts
Underwater mountain ranges
4. What is the rift-zone (rift valley)?
A narrow trench in the center of the highest part of the mid-ocean ridge
5. What are trenches?
The deepest part of the ocean basin (ocean floor)
6. What is the ocean basin?
Large underwater area between continents
Located on either side of the mid-ocean ridge
Made up of low hills and flat plains
7. What is the abyssal plain?
Wide, flat area of the ocean basin (ocean floor)
8. What is the difference between a seamount and a volcanic island?
A seamount is an underwater mountain that rises from the ocean floor but stops before it
reaches the surface of the ocean
A volcanic island is an underwater mountain that rises from the ocean floor and reaches
above the surface of the ocean.
Name: _____________________________Homeroom:_______________________ Date: _________________
Label the diagram below:
H
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
I
Continental Slope
Seamount
Abyssal Plain
Rift Zone/Rift Valley
Volcanic Island
Continental Shelf
Trench
Ocean Basin
Mid-Ocean Ridge
Complete the chart below:
Compare Continental and Oceanic Landforms
Continental (land)
Valley
Oceanic (water)
Rift Valley
Definition
Low land between hills and
mountains
Canyon
Trench
Deep valley
Steep sides
Volcano
Seamount
An opening in surface where lava
flows
Mountain
Mid-Ocean Ridge
Land rises high above ground
Plains
Abyssal Plain
Wide, flat land