Unit 3: Geological Features

Question 1

Plate tectonics

Answer 1

Earth’s rigid outer shell, called the lithosphere, consists of 7 large and numerous smaller segments called plates that are in motion relative to each other

Question 2

Paleomagnetism

Answer 2

The study of the changes in Earth’s magnetic field.

Question 3

Seafloor spreading

Answer 3

A geological process in which tectonic plates split apart from each other

Question 4

Orogenesis

Answer 4

the process of mountain formation, especially by a folding and faulting of the earth’s crust.

Question 5

Intertidal zone

Answer 5

(between high ad low tide); the ocean region that is closet to land; includes sandy beaches but can also be rocky or muddy.

Question 6

Neritic zone

Answer 6

Where sunlight reaches the ocean floor, extends from the intertidal zone to depths of about 200m ( or 650 ft) at the edge of the continental shelf.

Question 7

Oceanic zone

Answer 7

Region of the open sea beyond the edge of the continental shelf, where the depth is greater than 200 meters

Question 8

Bentic zone

Answer 8

Deepwater region beyond the continental shelf; bottom of the benthic ralm comprises sand silt, and dead organisms.

Question 9

Epipelagic

Answer 9

Surface layer of the ocean that extends from the surface to 200 meters (656 ft); sunlight zone where most of the visible light and heat exists, heat is responsible for the wide range of temperatures that occur in this zone.

Question 10

Mesopelagic

Answer 10

Exending from 200 meters( 656 ft) to 1,000 meters (3,281 ft); twilight zone or the midwater zone since the light that epentrates to this depth is extremely faint; bioluminescent creatures and a great diversity of strange and bizarre fishes can be found here.

Question 11

Bathypelagic, midnight zone

Answer 11

The dark zone which extends from 1,000 meters( 3,281 ft) down to 4,000 meters (13,124 ft); only visible light is produced by the organisms themselves; immense water pressure; most organisms that live at these depths are black or red in color due to the lack of light.

Question 12

Abyssopelagic

Answer 12

Extends from 4,000 ( 13,124 ft) to 6,000 meters( 19,686 ft); the water temperature is near freezing, and there is no light at all; few organisms are found at these depths; 3/4 of the ocean floor lies within this zone

Question 13

Hadopelagic

Answer 13

extends from 6,000 meters (19,686 ft) to the bottom of the deepest parts of the ocean; mostly found in deep water trenches of the deepest part s of the ocean; mostly found in deep water trenches and canyons; water temperature is just above freezing, and he pressure is 8 tons per square inch; invertebrates such as starfish and tube worms thrives at these depths.