Internet Encyclopedia of Science
GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   • HOME
• ABOUT
• CATEGORIES
• USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
• NEWSLETTER

  



ocean trench


oceanic spreading
How ocean trenches and mid-ocean ridges are formed
Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
A long, narrow, linear depression of the sea floor caused by the subduction of one plate under another. Ocean trenches have a V-shaped cross-section and run, typically, roughly parallel to continental coastal mountain ranges or volcanic island arcs. See also mid-ocean ridge.


Related category

   • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History


BACK TO TOP