The Project

During this unit in Marine Biology we learned about the different parts of geology in the ocean. We began by looking into all the large bodies of water on our planet and all that is within them. We went into depth about what we are finding on the sea floor like evidence of plate tectonics, mid-ocean ridges, sea floor trenches, the continental margin including: the continetal shelf, shelf break, continental slope, continental rise, and the abyssal plain. The most interesting thing we learned about were the hydrothremal vents that exist deep in the ocean floor and are said to be where first life started. Another aspect of ocean geology that intrigued me was how the Hawaiian chain islands were formed, and that is why I chose to use the Hawaiian islands as my vacation spot!

For this project we had to develop an underwater vacation destination and make a brochure advertising. Within the brochure we had to include 8 marine geographical features that can be found on the sea floor. I have been to Hawaii a couple times and while making this brochure it makes me want to go back and explore the geology of the ocean.

Evidence of Work

Finished Vacation Brochure

Front/Back

Middle/Inside

Content

Continental Margin: The transition zone of the sea floor between the coast and the deep ocean

Continental Shelf, Slope, Rise: The shelf usually ends at the increasing. The sea floor below the break is the continental slope and below that is the continental rise

Submarine Canyon: Any of a class of narrow steep-sided valleys that cut into the continental rises in the ocean

Abyssal Plain: A flat region of the ocean floor usually at the base of a continental rise where the slope is less than 1:1000

Mid Ocean Ridge: A continuous range of underwater volcanoes that wraps around the globe like seams of a baseball

Sea mount/Tablemount: Under sea mountains formed by volcanic activity. Does not reach the surface.

Ocean Trench: A long, narrow depression on the seafloor. They are the deepest parts of the ocean

Ocean Sound/Ocean Strait: A narrow body of water that connects two larger bodies of water

Reflection

This project was a great combination of researching, learning about the geology of the ocean, and being creative with trying to get people to go on your underwater vacation destination. It was interesting researching the area of Hawaii and seeing all the amazing features of the surrounding ocean, because I had been to Hawaii several times and had never thought of or seen these things. One thing I felt I did well in this project was using my time well and being very efficient with my work. I was able to get my research done fairly quick in the project which helped me get all my information and a good idea of where and what will be included within the trip. I am also very happy with how my final brochure turned out, it makes me want to go on this vacation myself! I was able to use my creativity, drawing skills, and research to accomplish this project.