OCEANIC RELIEF

Beneath the ocean there is an underwater landscape The shape and depth of the seafloor is multiform. Some features, like canyons and seamounts, might look familiar, while others, are unique to the deep.

Continental shelf

Starting from land, the first underwater landform is the continental shelf. The continental shelf is an area of superficial water that surrounds the coast land. It is narrow. The waters in the continental shelf are productive, as there are light and nutrients from upwelling and runoff.

Continental slope

The continental slope is a steep area that connects the continental shelf with the ocean floor.

Abyssal plains

The continental slope ends in the abyssal plain.
Abyssal plains are considered the largest habitats on Earth. Abyssal plains are flat areas in the ocean floor. Sunlight does not penetrate to the sea floor, making these deep, dark ecosystems less productive. However, abyssal plains are not completely flat since they are interrupted by seamonts, ocean ridges and ocean trenches.

Oceanic ridge

Ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges. Some of them contain underwater volcanoes .

Ocean trenches

Ocean trenches are basins and depressions on the ocean floor. These areas are the deepest parts in the ocean. The Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean is the profoundest are in our planet.