20 Terms
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Physical oceanography
The scientific study of the physical conditions and processes related to the motions and physical properties of ocean currents and waters.
Industry: Earth science
Add a new termContributors in Physical oceanography
Physical oceanography
Trough
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a long depression of the sea floor characteristically flat bottomed and steep sided and normally shallower than a trench."
Trench
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a long, narrow characteristically very deep and asymmetrical depression of the sea floor, with relatively steep sides."
Plateau
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a flat or nearly flat elevation of considerable areal extent, dropping off abruptly on one or more sides."
Continental rise
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a gentle slope rising from the oceanic depths towards the foot of a continental slope."
Seamount chain
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a linear or arcuate alignment of discrete seamounts, with their bases clearly separated."
Apron
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a gently dipping surface, underlain primarily by sediment, at the base of any steeper slope."
Shelf edge
Earth science; Physical oceanography
The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "the line along which there is marked increase of slope at the seaward margin of a continental (or island) shelf; also called a shelf ...
