Let’s go step by step to match each description with the correct ocean floor feature from the diagram.
We are given 8 descriptions and a labeled diagram with letters a through h:
Diagram labels:
a. continental shelf
b. continental slope
c. abyssal plain
d. trench
e. island
f. mid-ocean ridges
g. seamounts
h. rift
Now, let’s match each number:
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1. “a chain of mountains that runs through the three major oceans (most stand about 5,000 feet above the seafloor)”
→ This describes
mid-ocean ridges — they are underwater mountain chains running through oceans. In the diagram, that’s label
f.
✔ Match:
f
---
2. “a submerged area that rims the land, beginning at the shoreline and gently sloping underwater to an average depth of about 430 feet”
→ This is the
continental shelf — it’s the shallow part near land before the steep drop. Label
a.
✔ Match:
a
---
3. “a mountain that breaks through the surface of the water”
→ That’s an
island — if it breaks the surface, it’s not just underwater. Label
e.
✔ Match:
e
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4. “a flat area of the ocean floor, covered with sand, mud, and plant and animal remains”
→ This is the
abyssal plain — very flat, deep, and covered in sediment. Label
c.
✔ Match:
c
---
5. “a steep-sided valley at the center of a mid-ocean ridge”
→ The center of a mid-ocean ridge has a
rift — where plates pull apart. Label
h.
✔ Match:
h
---
6. “a long, narrow, steep-sided valley that forms the deepest parts of the ocean”
→ That’s a
trench — like the Mariana Trench. Very deep, narrow valleys. Label
d.
✔ Match:
d
---
7. “a steep drop-off from the continental shelf that plunges to depths of 2¼ miles”
→ After the continental shelf comes the
continental slope — this is the steep drop. Label
b.
✔ Match:
b
---
8. “underwater mountains formed by erupting volcanoes”
→ These are
seamounts — underwater volcanoes that don’t break the surface. Label
g.
✔ Match:
g
---
Final Answer:
1. f
2. a
3. e
4. c
5. h
6. d
7. b
8. g
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of ocean floor worksheet.
