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Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Monterey Submarine Canyon, California Moored Array Data Report [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Website
Other

University of California: Ocean Drilling Program

For Students 9th - 10th
Scientists probe the ocean floor off Costa Rica and find evidence that may tell us more about what goes on in ocean trenches.
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Handout
University of California

Ucmp: Plate Tectonics: The Mechanism

For Students 9th - 10th
A basic description of the driving force behind plate movement. Describes major features of the ocean floor including mid-oceanic ridges.
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Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: How to Build a Model Illustrating Sea Floor Spreading

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a comprehensive website featuring how to build a model that illustrates sea-floor spreading and subduction. It has diagrams and pictures reviewing major geological concepts.
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Website
University of California

University of California, Santa Barbara/abyssal Hills

For Students 9th - 10th
This article, published in Nature magazine, gives a detailed account of the abyssal plain feature called abyssal hills.
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Activity
Institute of Marine Science

Forsea: If I Can't See It, How Do I Know It's There?

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
University of California

Mid Ocean Ridge

For Students 9th - 10th
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."
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Graphic
US Geological Survey

Usgs: u.s. Atlantic Continental Margin Gloria Mapping Program

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Activity
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Plate Tectonics and Mid Oceanic Ridges

For Students 9th - 10th
Excellent graphics and understandable text about all aspects of plate tectonics including mid-ocean ridges.
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Website
US Geological Survey

Usgs: Bathymetry of the Marshall Islands

For Students 9th - 10th
This map details the area around the Marshall Island seamounts. Seamounts are one of many features that are found in conjunction with abyssal plains.
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Website
Extreme Science

Extreme Science: Challenger Deep

For Students 9th - 10th
A short description of the world's deepest ocean trench. Includes diagram and map.
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Website
Other

Ocean Trenches

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Website
Other

Cause of Ridges

For Students 9th - 10th
Details one man's explanation for the formation of mid-oceanic ridges.
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Article
University of Washington

University of Washington: Coastal Processes and the Continental Margin

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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Handout
Encyclopedia of Earth

Encyclopedia of Earth: Arctic Ocean

For Students 9th - 10th
Lengthy illustrated article about the Arctic Ocean discusses all the many features and characteristics of this vast northern ocean--sea ice, icebergs, ice shelves, ice islands, the Arctic Ocean floor, continental shelf--as well as the...
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Lesson Plan
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Field Activity: Exploring Glaciers, Ancient Seas, and Volcanism

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In this geoscience all day field activity at Interstate State Park at Taylors Falls, MN, students investigate and explore three events in Minnesota geological history.
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Handout
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute: What Are the Deepest Parts of the Ocean?

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief description of the ocean's deepest parts.
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Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Interesting Facts About the Abyssal Zone

For Students 9th - 10th
The Abyssal Zone lies deep in the ocean in the pelagic layer between 4,000 to 6,000 m or 13,000 to 19,500 ft. Learn about some of the unique life forms that call this zone their home, how they have adapted to the extreme pressure and...
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Graphic
Curated OER

Unesco: Spain: Teide National Park

For Students 9th - 10th
Situated on the island of Tenerife, Teide National Park features the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano that, at 3,718 m, is the highest peak on Spanish soil. Rising 7,500 m above the ocean floor, it is regarded as the world’s third-tallest...