Deep-sea Sediments Quiz

What is the average thickness of sediment in the oceans?

• 200 feet

• 3,300 feet

• 1,500 feet

• 1,000 feet

Which method has been used to map the thickness of sediments in many parts of the oceans?

• Seismic reflection

• Underwater drilling

• Dredging

• Core sampling

What are the three main types of deep-sea sediments?

• Terrigenous, Pelagic, Authigenic

• Pelagic, Terrigenous, Biogenic

• Terrigenous, Biogenic, Authigenic

• Biogenic, Authigenic, Pelagic

What is the sinking rate of pelagic sediment grains?

• 500 to 1,000 feet per day

• 40 to 400 feet per day

• 1,500 to 2,000 feet per day

• 10 to 100 feet per day

What has caused the variations in sedimentation patterns in the ocean basins over geologic time?

• Seafloor spreading

• Ocean currents

• Plate movements

• Climate change

Which ocean basin has shrunk while the Atlantic and Arctic basins have grown?

• Indian Ocean

• Pacific Ocean

• Atlantic Ocean

• Southern Ocean

When did the latest phase of ocean basin growth begin?

• Less than 50 million years ago

• Around 100 million years ago

• About 200 million years ago

• Over 2 billion years ago

Which supercontinent broke up less than 200 million years ago?

• Rodinia

• Laurasia

• Pangea

• Gondwana

Where is the oldest known oceanic crust located?

• North Atlantic

• Indian Ocean

• Western Pacific

• Southern Ocean

What event caused the opening of the Tethys seaway?

• Separation of India and Madagascar

• Drifting of North America and Eurasia

• Collision of India and Asia

• Rifting of Europe and Africa