Óceánfenék

Óceánfenék refers to the bottom of the ocean. This vast and largely unexplored realm covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and is characterized by diverse geological features. The ocean floor is not a flat, uniform plain but rather a dynamic landscape shaped by tectonic activity, volcanic processes, and sedimentation.

Key features of the ocean floor include continental shelves, which are submerged extensions of continents, gradually sloping towards deeper waters. Beyond these shelves lie continental slopes, steep descents into the abyssal plains. The abyssal plains are vast, flat expanses that constitute the largest habitat on Earth, found at depths of 3,000 to 6,000 meters. Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed by the divergence of tectonic plates, where new oceanic crust is generated. Trenches, such as the Mariana Trench, represent the deepest parts of the ocean, formed by the subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another. Hydrothermal vents, often found near mid-ocean ridges, release superheated, mineral-rich water from beneath the Earth's crust, supporting unique ecosystems. The composition of the ocean floor varies, consisting of rock, sediment, and organic material, all of which play a role in marine life and geological processes.