T
HE OCEAN IS THE
LARGEST FEATURE ON
EARTH, COVERING MORE
than 70 percent of our planet’ s
surface. In this chapter, we will
examine the topography of the
ocean floor and look at the
processes that produced its varied
features. You will also learn about
the composition, structure, and
origin of oceanic crust.
F O C U S O N C O N C E P T S
To assist you in learning
the important concepts in this
chapter, focus on the following
questions:
How is the ocean floor mapped?
What are the three major
topographic provinces of the
ocean floor and the important
features associated with each?
What is the nature and origin
of the oceanic ridge system?
How does oceanic crust form,
and how is it different from
continental crust?
What is the relationship between
continental rifting and new
ocean basins?
What is the supercontinent
cycle?
Pacific Ocean, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
(Stuart Westmoreland/Corbis)