Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: OokieWonderslug on 28/07/2021 17:43:37

Title: What makes the sea floor smooth?
Post by: OokieWonderslug on 28/07/2021 17:43:37

I was looking at Google Earth and noticed something strange. We see the mid ocean rift and the assorted "mountains" and hills it makes. What happens to them? Why aren't the edges of the oceans rough like the ridge if only the middle of the ridge grows? Why do sea mounts persist yet the texture of the ridge does not? Something seems off.

Title: Re: What makes the sea floor smooth?
Post by: evan_au on 28/07/2021 23:30:36

The sea floor is not mapped in as much detail as the land surface - you have to tow a sonar torpedo over the sea floor to get a good picture. It's not as easy as flying a satellite over it.

The ocean floor has a continual rain of dead plankton falling down from the surface. This fills up the valleys, so only the peaks poke through.

Title: Re: What makes the sea floor smooth?
Post by: Bass on 15/09/2021 02:05:43

Plus, as the new oceanic crust moves away from the ridge, it also cools. It becomes harder and less buoyant, so it tends to sink.

Title: Re: What makes the sea floor smooth?
Post by: Petrochemicals on 25/09/2021 20:24:22

For your perusal

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverpit_crater

Title: Re: What makes the sea floor smooth?
Post by: saadatrent2021 on 11/10/2021 23:20:08

Currents that flow between the seas. Freshwater of rivers and glaciers, rainfall, formation and melting of sea ice, And evaporation, which is affected by temperature, winds and waves. Tsunamis are another reason for the formation of sea level. Landslides are caused by underwater, meteorite impacts, volcanic eruptions, or landslides at sea. These events can temporarily increase or decrease the sea level in the affected area. The potential energy of displaced water is converted into kinetic energy.