Ocean floor is mantled with sediment Sources Turbidity currents Sediment that slowly settles to the bottom from above Thickness varies Thickest in trenches – accumulations may approach 10 kilometers
Thickness varies Pacific Ocean – about 600 meters or less Atlantic Ocean – from 500 to 1000 meters thick Mud is the most common sediment on the deep-ocean floor
Types of seafloor sediments Terrigenous sediment Material weathered from continental rocks Virtually every part of the ocean receives some Fine particles remain suspended for a long time Oxidation often produces red and brown colored sediments
Types of seafloor sediments Biogenous sediment Shells and skeletons of marine animals and plants Most common are calcareous oozes produced from microscopic organisms that inhabit warm surface waters Siliceous oozes composed of skeletons of diatoms and radiolarians Phosphate rich materials derived from the bones, teeth, and scales of fish and other marine organisms
Related Images
361
681
194
751
988
234
145
450
262
Add Comment
0 Comment
Explore
Post your homework questions and get free online help from our incredible volunteers