Sediments & Past Oceans Flashcards
1
Q
Ocean Sediments
A
Organic or inorganic particles that are insoluable and acculumate on the seafloor
2
Q
Where do sediments come from?
A
- weathering and erosion of rocks
- remains of living organzism
- volcanic ash
- minerals forming in the water
- outer space
3
Q
How fast do sediments accumulate?
A
> 1cm/yr to < 1cm/1000 year
4
Q
What do sediements look like?
A
[pic]
5
Q
Sedimentary Rocks
A
- lithification = the process of trning unconsolidated materials (sediments) into solid rock
6
Q
Echosounder trace of seafloor sediemnts
A
- measure shape and structure of seafloor
7
Q
Records of the past - the memory of the ocean
A
- past ocean circulation patterns
- movement of seafloor
- timing of extinction events
- past climate conditions
- and more
8
Q
Coring of seafloor sediments
A
- can drill in 8000 km of water
- can core 2000+ m below ocean
- example: extinction events, record sea surface temp, changes in ocean circulation & North Atlantic Deep Water
9
Q
A
