November 29, 2011

Ocean Topography

VA SOL 5.6: Ocean Environments OceanWaves

Christine Mingus Integrated Technology

November 29, 2011

Show me what you know! Continents and Oceans

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November 29, 2011

Q: What exactly IS topography? Why do we study it?

Topography (from Greek τόπος topos, "place", and γράφω graphō, "write") is the study of Earth's surface shape and features (or those of celestial bodies like moons, planets, and asteroids).

It gives us a 3-D understanding of geological landforms, their shapes and features.

Scientists See Ocean Floor via Sonar

November 29, 2011

Why study the oceans?

November 29, 2011

Yes No

Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on Earth.

1 Yes or No

NoYes

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The peak of Mount Everest is 8,850 meters (29,035 feet) above sea level.

This high elevation gives Mount Everest the distinction of being the mountain with the highest altitude.

Mauna Kea has an altitude of 4,205 meters (13,796 feet) - much lower than Mount Everest.

However, Mauna Kea is an island and if the distance from the bottom of the nearby ocean floor to the peak of the island is measured, then Mauna Kea is taller than Mount Everest.

Mauna Kea is over 10,000 meters tall compared to 8,850 meters for Mount Everest -

making it the world's tallest mountain.

Source: http://geology.com/records/highest-mountain-in-the-world.shtml.

November 29, 2011

Yes No

The Grand Canyon is the lowest (deepest) place on Earth.

2 Yes or No

NoYes

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Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest point in Earth's oceans. The bottom there is 11,035 m (or 6.85 miles) below sea level.

If Mount Everest were placed at this location, it would be covered by over one mile of water!

The Grand Canyon in the American Southwest was carved into the Earth by the Colorado River.

At its deepest point it is 1,800 meters (6,000 feet) deep.

November 29, 2011

Google Earth

Look at the ocean floor Find Mt. Everest/ Mauna Kea Find Grand Canyon/ Mariana Trench

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Ocean basins are characterized by mid-ocean ridges and fringed by shallow continental shelves.

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Exploring America's Ocean Realms National Geographic, The Marine Conservation Biology

Institute (MCBI), The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, SkyTruth, and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration)