Lecture Notes: Deep Ocean Basins

Introduction

• Fun intro with mention of a themed t-shirt.
• Focus on marine provinces, specifically deep ocean basins.

Marine Provinces Overview

• Marine provinces divided into three categories:
  • Continental Margins
  • Mid-Ocean Ridges
  • Deep Ocean Basins (Focus of this lecture)

Deep Ocean Basins

• Defined as areas not continental margins or mid-ocean ridges.
• Make up most of the ocean floor.

Key Features of Deep Ocean Basins

1. Abyssal Plains

   • Large, flat areas covered by sediment.
   • Located between continental margins and mid-ocean ridges.
   • Occasionally have volcanic peaks protruding through the sediment.

2. Ocean Trenches

   • Deepest parts of the ocean.
   • Found at convergent boundaries, associated with subduction zones.
   • Examples:
     • Pacific Ocean: Extensive trench systems like the Ring of Fire.
     • Atlantic Ocean: Puerto Rico Trench, South Sandwich Trench.
     • Indian Ocean: Java Trench.

3. Volcanic Peaks and Arcs

   • Include seamounts, tablemounts, geodes.
   • Mostly old and inactive.
   • Significant numbers:
     • Over 6,000 seamounts greater than 1,500 meters.
     • Over 200,000 smaller hills above 100 meters.
     • About 15,000 features over 1,000 meters.

Specifics of Ocean Trenches

• Occur primarily in the Pacific due to the East Pacific Rise and subduction at continental margins.
• Lie near major earthquake zones.
• Characterized by steep continental shelves and rapid depth increase.
  • Example: Peru-Chile Trench with depths over 8,000 meters.

Conclusion

• Deep ocean basins host abyssal plains, trenches, and volcanic features.
• Final video in series will cover mid-ocean ridges.

Closing Remarks

• Encouragement to be good people and a hint of humor with a slow roll exit.