GS106   Objectives

Ocean Exploration, Plate Tectonics and Ocean Topography

 

1)  What was the purpose of the HMS Challenger and when did it sail the ocean?

 

2)  What was Echo sounder?

 

3)  Why do sound waves refract and change speed as they move through the ocean?

 

4)  What causes sound waves to reflect in the ocean and how was/is this used to understand ocean topography?

 

5)  What was the Glomar Challenger and what was the major purpose for this vessel?

 

6)  Be able to discuss the information obtained by Glomar Challenger with regards to its significance to the idea of seafloor spreading.

            I.e…..age of the ocean crust and its distribution and geomagnetic reversal patterns

 

7)  What is the theory of plate tectonics?

 

8)  What is the mid-ocean ridge system, where is it found, what are its features and what type of plate boundary does it represent?

 

9)  Know the basic difference, with regards to motion, of divergent, convergent and transform boundaries.

 

10)  What is the motion of a transform boundary and why are most of this type of plate boundary found off setting mid ocean ridge systems?

 

11)  Be able to explain the three types of convergent boundaries and why different features/processes occur at each.

 

12)  Why do deep ocean trenches form and what type of plate boundary are they associated with?

 

13)  What trench has the deepest part of the ocean?

 

14)  What are the basic features formed at continental to oceanic convergence?

 

15)  What are the basic features formed at continental to continental convergence?

 

16)  What/where are each of the following, what features do each have and how do they form:

            Continental shelf                     Continental rise

            Submarine Canyons                 Abyssal Plain

            Continental slope                     Seamounts

                                                            Guyots

 

17)  Where do each of the following types of sediments form, what (in general) are each type made of, and where are they found in the oceans.

            Terrigenous                  Biogenic                      Hydrogenous

 

18)  What is the difference between calcareous oozes and siliceous oozes and why do they form at different depths in the ocean?