Module 3: Geology

Ridges Under the Arctic Ocean

NOAA: Public Domain

In this module we investigated the layers and interior structure of the Earth. Tremendous forces within the Earth are the main cause of geologic features on the ocean floor.

Far from being a flat, empty surface, the ocean floor has many interesting features, such as underwater mountain ranges caused by the diverging of plates. Seafloor spreading creates new seafloor, while subduction forms trenches and volcanic island arcs.

According to scientists, the global theory of plate tectonics explains the creation of some of these important features of the seafloor.

Of course, there's much more to learn about ocean floor geology, which we'll investigate in the module on bathymetry!

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