ocean floor geology

Ocean floor geology studies the Earth's underwater surface, revealing diverse features like mountains, valleys, and trenches. The ocean floor is formed mainly by volcanic activity, with mid-ocean ridges where new crust emerges and tectonic plates spread apart. Deep trenches mark subduction zones where plates sink into the mantle. Sediments cover much of the surface, composed of materials like tiny shells and minerals. Understanding ocean floor geology helps explain plate movements, seismic activity, and the Earth's history, providing insights into the planet's dynamic processes beneath the waves.