Over the Edge: Exploring the Deep Ocean Floor
Scientists have made great progress in their efforts to map the deepest parts of the ocean. But even with all the new technology that's available, our knowledge and understanding of the deep ocean is far from complete. In fact, we know more about th...
Over the Edge: Hydrothermal Vents
Hydrothermal vents were discovered in 1977. They are sometimes characterized as deep ocean hot springs found thousands of feet beneath the surface. Hydrothermal vents are of great interest because of their circulation processes, as well as for the u...
Over the Edge: Oceanic Ridge System, The
Perhaps the most striking feature that characterizes the deep ocean floor is the vast oceanic ridge system that encircles the Earth along tectonic plate boundaries.
Over the Edge: Deep Ocean Floor, The
Although it comprises more than half of Earth's surface area, the deep ocean floor was a region of near total mystery until fairly recently. Even now, efforts to map ocean basins are in their infancy.
Over the Edge: Undersea Volcanic and Tectonic Activity
For large stretches the deep ocean basin is flat. But seamounts, guyots, island arcs and trenches, all of which result at least in part from tectonic activity, break up the sameness.