The ocean floor is divided into three main regions: the continental margin, the deep-ocean basin, and the mid-ocean ridge.
1. Continental Margin
The continental margin is the zone of the ocean floor that lies between the shoreline and the deep ocean. It includes the continental shelf, the continental slope, and the continental rise. The continental shelf is the gently sloping submerged portion of the continent, which extends from the shoreline to the continental slope. The continental slope is the steeply sloping section that connects the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor. The continental rise is the gently sloping accumulation of sediments at the base of the continental slope.
2. Deep-Ocean Basin
The deep-ocean basin is the vast, flat, and deep area of the ocean floor that lies beyond the continental margin. It includes features such as abyssal plains, seamounts, and deep-sea trenches. Abyssal plains are flat, sediment-covered areas that cover large portions of the ocean floor. Seamounts are underwater mountains that rise from the ocean floor but do not reach the surface. Deep-sea trenches are the deepest parts of the ocean, formed by the subduction of tectonic plates.
3. Mid-Ocean Ridge
The mid-ocean ridge is a continuous underwater mountain range that runs through the world’s oceans. It is formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent plate boundaries, where tectonic plates are moving apart. The mid-ocean ridge is characterized by volcanic activity, hydrothermal vents, and a central rift valley. It is the longest mountain range on Earth and plays a crucial role in the process of seafloor spreading.