Scholastic
Scholastic: Ocean Life
Good starting point for researching ocean life. Find general information, research-topic ideas, a glossary of important terms and people, and numerous links to related sites.
University of California
Mid Ocean Ridge
An article from Scientific American details some recent discoveries about the ridge systems. "New maps reveal striking details of how segments of the Ridge form and evolve."
University of California
University of California, Santa Barbara/abyssal Hills
This article, published in Nature magazine, gives a detailed account of the abyssal plain feature called abyssal hills.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Journey to Deep Sea Vents
Take a submersible down to the seafloor. As you descend, passing through the ocean's sunlight, twilight, and midnight zones, you can observe how temperature, pressure, and light levels change. When your submersible reaches the seafloor,...
Society for Science and the Public
Science News for Students: Beneath the Sea
What does it mean to be alive? Scientists are now revisiting this question as they discover previously unknown microorganisms at the bottom of the ocean.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Neritic Zone
Learn about the neritic zone, also called the sublittoral zone or sea floor.
NOAA
Noaa: New Millennium Observatory (Ne Mo)
NeMO is a seafloor observatory at an active underwater volcano! NeMO "background" is a great place to begin your scientific journey under the sea. Site includes virtual tours, daily updates from the sea, teacher resources and more.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: u.s. Atlantic Continental Margin Gloria Mapping Program
This site from the U.S. Geological Survey allows you to access detailed images of the continental margin around the United States. There is additional information about the sonar methods used, and a wealth of additional sources listed.
Other
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: Project Mohole
Project Mohole was "the earth sciences' answer to the space program," a project to gain information about the Earth by drilling a hole through the Earth's crust to the Mohorovicic Discontinuity (Moho). This website gives a history of the...
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Monterey Submarine Canyon, California Moored Array Data Report [Pdf]
This advanced site discusses some of the research done and research techniques used in studies of the Monterey Canyon. Great graphics showing the position of the canyon relative to other features of the continental margin. Also...
Boise State University
Boise State University: Ocean Exploration: Abyssopelagic (Abyssal) Zone
Learn about the very cold, dark region of the ocean known as the abyss. Includes information on the origin of the name of this ocean zone, as well as information on its depth and animal life.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanography Institute: Geology and Geophysics
This webpage has two videos related to mid-oceaninc ridges. One of them examines the traits of hydrothermal vents and why their study is important. The other one describes the process by which new oceanic crust is created.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
US Geological Survey
Usgs: Plate Tectonics and Mid Oceanic Ridges
Excellent graphics and understandable text about all aspects of plate tectonics including mid-ocean ridges.
NOAA
Noaa: Explorations
This resource page contains an exhaustive list of pictures and videos of sea floor structures found all over the world.
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Sea Floor
This resource page has numerous links to pictures and videos of the sea floor. Topics include geologic features, habitats, bacteria mats and hydrates.
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute: Mid Ocean Ridges: Types of Ridges
A detailed, interactive look at the mid-oceanic ridge. Learn more about slow and fast spreading ridges and how the polarity of the ocean floor helps determine the speed of spreading.
Institute of Marine Science
Forsea: If I Can't See It, How Do I Know It's There?
A diagram showing features of the seafloor and a laboratory experiment involving a model of the seafloor highlight this site. This is a good resource for teachers as well.
Extreme Science
Extreme Science: Challenger Deep
A short description of the world's deepest ocean trench. Includes diagram and map.
University of Washington
University of Washington: Coastal Processes and the Continental Margin
Events affecting the continental margin off Washington State are presented. This article comes from the "Thompson Times," an onboard newspaper from the UW's primary research vessel, the Thomas Thompson.
Other
Ocean Trenches
A rather detailed explanation of how trenches form and why. No graphics, but some interesting explanations as well as links to other sites and extensive reference list.
Other
Rutgers Marine & Coastal Sciences: Cool Classroom
Students and teachers can explore the work of marine scientists and observe the ocean from their computers. Learn about Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, discover why oceanography is important, and see what life is like in...
Other
University of California: Ocean Drilling Program
Scientists probe the ocean floor off Costa Rica and find evidence that may tell us more about what goes on in ocean trenches.