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Divergent Boundaries
Chapter 13 of book EARTH: An Introduction to Physical Geology 9th Edition.
28
Geology
Undergraduate 1
04/07/2010

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Term
abyssal plain
Definition
consists of thick accumulations of sediments that were deposited atop the low, rough portions of the ocean floor by turbidity currents.
Term
accretionary wedge
Definition
sediment from oceanic plate is plastered against the coninent to form a collection of sediment.
Term
active continental margin
Definition
located around Pacific Ocean where edges are overunned by oceanic lithosphere.
Term
bathymetry
Definition
(bathos=depth;metry=measurement)

measuremnt of ocean depths and the charting of the shapre or topography of the ocean floor.
Term
black smokers
Definition
a hydrothermal vent on the ocean floor that emits a black cloud of hot, metal rich water.
Term
buoyant subduction
Definition
subduction in which the angle of descent is small because the oceanic lithosphere is still warm and buoyant. it occurs where a spreading center is near a subduction zone.
Term
continental margin
Definition
portions of the seafloor adjacent to the continents.
Term
continental rift
Definition
linear zone along which continental lithosphere stretches and pulls apart. its creation may mark the beginning of a new ocean basin.
Term
continental rise
Definition
regions where trenches do not exist, relatively steep slope merging into a gradual incline. consist of sediments that move downslope into the continental shelf to the deep ocean floor.

passive continental margin.
Term
continental shelf
Definition
gently sloping, submerged surface extending from the shoreline toward a deep ocean basin.

passive continental margin.
Term
continental slope
Definition
true edge of the continent has a steep slope that leads from the continental shelf into deep water.

passive continental margin.
Term
deep-ocean basin
Definition
loacted between continental margins and oceanic ridge systems. features include deep ocean trenches, abyssal plains, seamounts & oceanic plateaus.
Term
deep-ocean trench
Definition
long narrow depressions that are the deepest part of the ocean and located where moving crustal plates descend back into the mantle.
Term
deep-sea fan
Definition
a cone-shaped deposit at the base of the continental slope. the sediment is transported to the fan by turbidity currents that follow submarine canyons.
Term
echo sounder
Definition
signals bounced off the ocean floor that measure water depth.
Term
guyot
Definition
a submerged, flat-topped seamount.
Term
mid-ocean ridge
Definition
site of seafloor spreading. foudn in all major oceans and represents more than 20% of Earth's surface. characterized by: elevated position, extensive faulting, & volcanic structures developed on newly formed oceanic crust. various segmentss of oceanic ridge is controlled by rate of seafloor spreading.
Term
oceanic plateau
Definition
an extensive region on the ocean floor composed of thick accumulations of pillow basalts and other mafic rocks that in some cases exceed 30 km in thickness.
Term
oceanic ridge
Definition
same as mid-ocean ridge.
Term
ophiolite complex
Definition
area where uppercrust is composed of pillow lavas of basaltic composition. layer below are interconnected dikes called sheet dike complex underlain by a thick layer of gabbro.
Term
passive continental margin
Definition
margin that consists of a continental shelf, continental slope, and continental rise. they are not associated with plate boundaries and therefore experience little volcanism and few earthquakes.
Term
pillow basalts
Definition
basaltic lava that solidifies in an underwater environment and develops a structure that resembles a pile of pillows.
Term
rift valley
Definition
long narrow trough bounded by normal faults. it represents a region where divergence is taking place.
Term
sea mount
Definition
volcanic peaks on the ocean floor that originates near oceanic ridges or in association with volcanic hot spots.
Term
seismic reflection profile
Definition
profile of strong low-frequency sounds produced by explosions (depth charges) or air guns. the sound waves penetrate beneath seafloor and reflect off the contacts between rock layers and fault zones.
Term
sheeted dike complex
Definition
layer below the pillow lavas of a ophiolite complex of interconnected dikes underlain by a thick layer of gabbro.
Term
sonar
Definition
acronym for sound navigation and ranging. helps in measuring water depths.
Term
tablemount
Definition
a submerged, flat-topped seamount.
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