Mid-Ocean Ridges and Deep Ocean Trenches

Subduction

Process where one plate goes under another because one plate is denser than the other

Continental and Oceanic and Oceanic and Oceanic

Two ways subduction can take place and a trench can be formed

Submarine Valley

Another name for ocean trench

Plates move apart

As two plates move apart, magma rises from the ocean floor adding new ocean floor. Volcanoes and mid-ocean ridges can be formed this way

Plates move together

As two plates of different densities move together subduction takes place making the ocean floor smaller. Trenches and volcanoes can be formed this way

Ocean Trench

Deep sided canyon, deepest points on earth

Challenger Deep

Deepest place on earth

Puerto Rico Trench

Deepest trench in the Atlantic Ocean

Mariana Trench

Deepest trench in the Pacific Ocean; deepest trench in the world

90%

Percentage of the mid-ocean ridge system that lies in the deep ocean

Iceland

Place where the ridge rises above sea level

Continental Shelves and Volcanic Islands

Places where trenches can be found

James Cameron

Scientific explorer and film maker who explored the Challenger Deep

Hydrothermal Vents

Scientific name given to vents along a mid-ocean ridge where the super heated water shoots out from; these vents often shoot out thick, black smoke filled with chemicals

Mid-Ocean Ridge System

The most extensive chain of mountains on earth

Seafloor Spreading

The process of new seafloor being added at a mid-ocean ridge

Chemosynthesis

The process of ocean life along the mid-ocean ridge making their food by using chemicals from hydrothermal vents