OCN 201
Physiography of the Seafloor
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The Hypsometric Curve of Earth and Venus: Two Different Crustal Structures, Exams of Geology
The hypsometric curve of Earth and Venus, explaining the reasons for the two different modes in their surface topography. the concept of isostasy, the internal structure of the Earth, and the position of the shoreline. It also provides information about the continental margins, mid-ocean ridges, and sea floor features.
What you will learn
- How does the melting of ice sheets affect sea level?
- Why does Earth have two modes in its hypsometric curve?
- What are the two types of continental margins and how do they differ?
- What causes the difference in crustal structures between Earth and Venus?
- How does isostasy explain the buoyancy of Earth's crust?
Typology: Exams
2021/2022
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OCN 201Physiography of the Seafloor
Hypsometric Curve for Earth’s solid surface Note histogram
Ocean Depth versus Continental Height Why do we have dry land? • Solid surface of Earth isdominated by two levels: – Land^ with a mean elevationof +840 m (29% of Earthsurface area). – Ocean floor^ with mean depthof -3800 m (71% of Earthsurface area). If Earth were smooth, depthof oceans would be 2450 mover the entire globe!
Origin of Continents and Oceans • Crust^ is formed by differentiation from mantle. • A small fraction of mantle melts. • Melt has a different composition from mantle. • Melt rises to form crust, of two types: 1) Oceanic^ 2) Continental
Concept of Isostasy: I
If I drop a several blocks of wood into a bucket of water,which block will float higher? A. A thick block made of dense wood (koa or oak) B. A thin block made of light wood (balsa or pine) C. A thick block made of light wood (balsa or pine) D. A thin block made of dense wood (koa or oak)
Internal Structure of the Earth: II(based on physical properties) Use viscosity and strength todescribe outer layers: • Lithosphere : 0-100 km^ = mantle + crust • Asthenosphere :100-700 km^ = mantle • Lower Mantle : 700-2900 km^ = mantle
Hypsometric curve of Earth shows
two modes.
Hypsometric curve of Venus shows only one! Why? Venus has only one type of crust!
Sea Level During the Paleozoic Throughout most of the Paleozoic (550-225 Ma) sea level was high,widely flooding continents. Note the orientation of North America wrtthe equator. Land is dark, shallow seas are lightly shaded. Present coastsare shown for reference but are not correct for the time.
If all the ice on Earth today melted, sea level would rise by A. 3 m^ = 10 feet B. 30 m = 100 feet C. 50 m = 164 feet D. 70 m = 230 feet E. 100 m = 328 feet
Physiography of the Ocean Floor • Area of Earth: 510 Mkm
2
-^ Area of Oceans: 361Mkm
2
-^ Deepest part of ocean: Mariana Trench 11.04 km •^ Highest point on land: Mt. Everest 8.85 km
Continental Margins
Types of Continental Margins II
Pacific^ (shelf, slope, trench):^ active, seismic^ –^ Chilean type:^ Shelf, slope, then trench^ –^ Mariana (or island arc) type:^ Shelf, slope, marginal basin,^ volcanic island arc, trench