Posted: April 1st, 2015

Bathymetry of the Ocean

Bathymetry of the ocean

Introduction

Bathymetry of the ocean sea floor refers to the measurement of how deep sea is, in relation to the sea level. This measurement may be used to determine the depth of the ocean. The measurements can help to show the underlying complexity of the sea and the ocean (Davidson, Reed & Davis, 2002). On the contrary, Plate tectonic is a geological feature that describes the movement relative to the movement of the ocean lithosphere. Geologist believes that, the main driving force behind plate tectonic is the heat from the mantle which makes this plate move at an alarming speed. The substantial density of the lithosphere in correlation to asthenosphere makes tectonic plates move at ease toward seduction zone (Monroe, Wicander & Hazlett, 2006). This study focuses on the feature pertaining the bathymetry of the sea level and the geology of the Galapagos Island.

Correlation between feature of the bathymetry of the ocean sea floor and plate tectonic

Plate tectonic theory argues that, the earth surface is subdivided into plates commonly known as shifting slabs. The shifting slabs move in relation to each other on the surfaces above the hottest zones at an average speed per unit of measurement (Davidson, Reed & Davis, 2002). Platonic theory also suggests that, there is a correlation between the spreading’s of the sea and intercontinental drifts. This is because, sea floor spreading and continental drift move in the same manner (Garrison, 2010). Additionally, geologist holds that, initially the world was one continent but through continental drift theory, several continents emerged and hence, these continents have been continuously moving away from each other. Despite the underlying evidence of the continental drift theory, the theory had been facing criticism. Critiques argued that, the theory does not provide substantial grounds to believe how continents moved away from each other. However, the emergence of new technology and sea floor exploration had provided substantial evidence to believe that initially the earth was one continent. On the contrary, geologist suggested that, there had been sea floor spreading’s which can be explained by the movement of the magma toward the deep sea trenches (Garrison, 2012). Additionally, plate tectonic theory formed the basis of conceptualization of the forces of the earth that causes earthquakes. Those forces form deformations on the earth surface as a result of the impact of earthquakes. Connectively both the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are interlinked together by plate tectonic process. The morphological structure of the sea also portrays both plate tectonic and sea sedimentations (Kearey, Klepeis & Vine, 2009).

Ii. Happenings in either sides of the transform fault.

A transformation fault is also referred to transform boundary which is a horizontal movement that occurs on either sides of sinisterly and dextral locations. These faults are more prevalent in deep seas and oceans whereby transform faults are created via Mind Ocean ridges (Monroe, Wicander & Hazlett, 2006). Transform faults may be distinguishes from strike –slip faults in the sense that, transform faults movements occurs in horizontal directions where plates slide against each other in an opposite horizontal direction, unlike the strike-slip faults. Additionally, transform faults may be distinguished from crosscurrent faults in the sense that, transform faults have a junction at the end of the plate boundary while trans-current faults do not have such boundary. Connectively, the middle of the ocean ridges transform faults remain fixed in one location unlike whereby, the ocean sea floor may be pushed away from the ridges (Davidson, Reed & Davis, 2002). Transform faults are of different types among them include; growing length faults, Constant length faults and decreasing length faults. Growing length faults is whereby, the growth of transform faults is as a result of linkage between the upper block of seduction zone and transform faults. On the contrary, constant length faults are those whose length does not reduce or exceed in any way whatsoever. This may be attributed to movement of plates parallel to each other. On the other hand, decreasing length faults are those whose length shrinks as result of decreasing in length of plates seduction. This act continuously occurs until transformation faults disappears entirely (Monroe, Wicander & Hazlett, 2006).

Iii. Meaning of Charles Darwin statement that, geology of the Galapagos Islands were sinking

The history of Galapagos Island attracted so many tourist who came to visit this Island among the visitors who visited was Charles Darwin. During his journey into this Island, Darwin observed some discrepancies in this Island whereby, volcanic eruptions were experienced. Therefore, this statement meant that, the islands provided wild life with habitat whereby, as geological changes occurred as a result of sinking of the land species changed evolutionally, to cope with new geological changes (Darwin & Glick, 1996).

Conclusion

The study above has discussed about the Bathymetry of the Ocean and how it relates to the sea level. Connectively, the study found that there is a correlation between ocean floors and plate tectonic. The movements of transformation faults plates have also been discussed as well as the Charles Darwin statement on geology.