2.13 : Seafloor

Seafloor

The seafloor is the bottom of the ocean and holds many secrets about Earth's history and marine life. Scientists explore the seafloor to study underwater mountains, trenches, and volcanoes. The seafloor is a hidden world, and by understanding it, we can learn about earthquakes, ocean currents, and how marine life thrives in the deep ocean. While much of the ocean remains a mystery, new technologies are allowing scientists to map and explore this unknown world.

Science and Engineering Practices: Developing and Using Models

Scientists and engineers create models to help us understand the seafloor. These models represent the shape and features of the ocean floor, allowing scientists to predict how it changes over time.

How Scientists Study the Seafloor

• Sonar technology sends sound waves to measure ocean depth.
• Submarines and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) explore deep waters where humans cannot go.
• Satellite images help create detailed maps of the ocean floor.

Activity Ideas:

Make a Seafloor Model – Use clay or paper to create a model of the seafloor, including mountains, trenches, and ridges. Label each feature.

Seafloor Mapping Experiment – Fill a container with water and place different objects at the bottom. Use a ruler to measure depths at various points and create a simple depth map.

Crosscutting Concepts: Patterns

Patterns help scientists recognize relationships and make predictions about natural events. They also reveal how the seafloor’s structure changes over time.

Patterns in the Seafloor

• Mid-ocean ridges form patterns where new seafloor is created.
• Earthquakes and volcanoes often occur in specific areas along tectonic plate boundaries.
• Deep trenches appear in predictable locations where plates move under each other.

Scientists learn how the seafloor influences ocean life, climate, and natural disasters by studying these patterns.