mid-ocean ridge
Underwater mountain chain
A mid-ocean ridge is a continuous underwater mountain range formed where tectonic plates spread apart and magma rises to create new oceanic crust.
These ridges wind through all major ocean basins, forming the longest mountain system on Earth: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs the length of the Atlantic Ocean.
The geological process produces distinctive features like hydrothermal vents and rift valleys.
Where Earth's sections meet
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- magma chamberSubsurface pocket holding liquefied rock
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
- asthenosphereDuctile upper mantle layer
convection · fissure · gabbro · seismicity · rifting
Undersea magma-spewing formation
- eruptionViolent sudden release
- lava flowMoving volcanic discharge
- magmaMolten rock underground
- volcanic ventMagma's surface exit
volcanic activity · volcanic glass · lava tube · igneous rock · curtain of fire
Ocean floor hot spring
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- tubewormsSedentary marine annelids
- extremophilesOrganisms surviving extreme conditions
- archaeaThird domain of life
Underwater exploration vehicle
- AlvinSmall striped rodent
- bathymetrySubaqueous topographical measurement
- research vesselShip for scientific investigation
- ROVPiloted-from-above underwater craft
deep-sea drilling · scientific expedition · multibeam sonar · acoustic imaging · sample collection
plate boundary
Where Earth's sections meet
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- magma chamberSubsurface pocket holding liquefied rock
- lithosphereCrust plus upper mantle
asthenosphere · convection · fissure · gabbro · seismicity · rifting
submarine volcano
Undersea magma-spewing formation
volcanic vent · volcanic activity · volcanic glass · lava tube · igneous rock · curtain of fire
hydrothermal vent
Ocean floor hot spring
- chemosynthesisEnergy from chemical reactions
- tubewormsSedentary marine annelids
- extremophilesOrganisms surviving extreme conditions
submersible
Underwater exploration vehicle
- AlvinSmall striped rodent
- bathymetrySubaqueous topographical measurement
- research vesselShip for scientific investigation
ROV · deep-sea drilling · scientific expedition · multibeam sonar · acoustic imaging · sample collection
mid-ocean ridgeoceanic trench
Deepest seafloor depression
subduction zone · deep-sea trench · Mariana Trench · accretionary wedge · submarine canyon
ocean, middle, ridge, oceanic, ridges, midfield, Mediterranean, ridgeline, oceanography