PPT: Ocean Relief | Geography for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


Ocean Relief
Page 2


Ocean Relief
Introduction to Ocean Relief
Ocean relief refers to the underwater landforms found on the ocean floor.
Covering about 71% of Earth's surface, yet ocean floors remain less visible than continents.
Understanding these hidden landscapes is crucial for geography and environmental studies.
Page 3


Ocean Relief
Introduction to Ocean Relief
Ocean relief refers to the underwater landforms found on the ocean floor.
Covering about 71% of Earth's surface, yet ocean floors remain less visible than continents.
Understanding these hidden landscapes is crucial for geography and environmental studies.
Major Ocean Basins & Their 
Extent
Five Major Oceans
Pacific
Atlantic
Indian
Arctic
Southern (Antarctic)
Ocean Floor Depth
Most ocean floors lie 3-6 km below sea level
Page 4


Ocean Relief
Introduction to Ocean Relief
Ocean relief refers to the underwater landforms found on the ocean floor.
Covering about 71% of Earth's surface, yet ocean floors remain less visible than continents.
Understanding these hidden landscapes is crucial for geography and environmental studies.
Major Ocean Basins & Their 
Extent
Five Major Oceans
Pacific
Atlantic
Indian
Arctic
Southern (Antarctic)
Ocean Floor Depth
Most ocean floors lie 3-6 km below sea level
Major Ocean Relief Features
Four major divisions shape the ocean floor, each playing a distinct role in ocean geography and ecosystems:
Continental Shelf
The shallow, gently sloping submerged part of the continent.
Continental Slope
A steep incline connecting the continental shelf to the abyssal plain.
Continental Rise
A gentle slope at the base of the continental slope, formed by 
sediment accumulation.
Abyssal Plain
Vast, flat, and deep ocean floor regions, covering a significant portion 
of the ocean basins.
Page 5


Ocean Relief
Introduction to Ocean Relief
Ocean relief refers to the underwater landforms found on the ocean floor.
Covering about 71% of Earth's surface, yet ocean floors remain less visible than continents.
Understanding these hidden landscapes is crucial for geography and environmental studies.
Major Ocean Basins & Their 
Extent
Five Major Oceans
Pacific
Atlantic
Indian
Arctic
Southern (Antarctic)
Ocean Floor Depth
Most ocean floors lie 3-6 km below sea level
Major Ocean Relief Features
Four major divisions shape the ocean floor, each playing a distinct role in ocean geography and ecosystems:
Continental Shelf
The shallow, gently sloping submerged part of the continent.
Continental Slope
A steep incline connecting the continental shelf to the abyssal plain.
Continental Rise
A gentle slope at the base of the continental slope, formed by 
sediment accumulation.
Abyssal Plain
Vast, flat, and deep ocean floor regions, covering a significant portion 
of the ocean basins.
Continental Shelf: The Shallow Ocean Margin
80km
Maximum Width
Typical continental shelf width
30-600m
Depth Range
Shallow compared to open ocean
<1°
Gradient
Very gentle slope
7.5%
Ocean Area
Portion of total ocean floor
Notable examples: Siberian Shelf (largest), South-East Asia Shelf, Great Banks of Newfoundland