Unique geomorphologic features in ocean basins

• Continental shelves

• Continental slopes

• Continental rises

• Abyssal plains

  • Nearly level floors of ocean basins lie beneath 3.5-5 km of water
  • Largely featureless, but with some local relief
  • Abyssal hills rise < 1km above abyssal plains
  • Seamounts rise > 1 km above abyssal plains
  • Underlain by young sedimentary rocks that are distinct from those found fringing the continents
  • Basement is oceanic rock (basalts or gabbros)

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