01 For which information is side-scan sonar considered more useful in ocean-floor mapping?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A For sea-surface temperature B For imaging texture and objects on the floor C For atmospheric pressure D For coastal population
Answer and explanation Correct answer: B . For imaging texture and objects on the floor
Explanation: Side-scan sonar is useful for imaging sea-floor texture and roughness. Exam tip: connect it with floor imaging, not only depth.
02 Why is seismic reflection useful for understanding structures below the ocean floor?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A It measures only water salinity B It uses reflected waves from layers to reveal sediments and rock structure C It records fish sounds D It shows cloud height
Answer and explanation Correct answer: B . It uses reflected waves from layers to reveal sediments and rock structure
Explanation: Reflected seismic waves indicate layers below the sea floor. Exam tip: connect this method with subsurface mapping.
03 Why is it necessary to correct raw depth data for tides in sea-floor mapping?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Because tides change sea-surface level B Because tides always erase the sea floor C Because tides stop sound D Because tides occur only in the atmosphere
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Because tides change sea-surface level
Explanation: Tidal rise and fall can affect measured depth. Exam tip: remember corrections for accurate depth.
04 How may fracture zones appear on ocean-floor maps?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A As long linear troughs and ridges B As circular farm fields C As floating icebergs D As coastal towns
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . As long linear troughs and ridges
Explanation: Fracture zones can form long linear irregularities on the sea floor. Exam tip: connect them with plate motion and transform faults.
05 Why is sound-speed correction applied in high-accuracy ocean-floor measurement?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Because sound speed in water changes with temperature, salinity and pressure B Because sound always travels in vacuum C Because there is no light on the sea floor D Because the ship does not remain stationary
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Because sound speed in water changes with temperature, salinity and pressure
Explanation: Changing sound speed can cause error in depth calculation. Exam tip: treat temperature, salinity and pressure as correction factors.
06 What is meant by the shelf break in mapping a continental margin?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Where the shelf begins to change sharply into the continental slope B Where sea water becomes fresh C Where the mid-oceanic ridge ends D Where only coral islands form
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Where the shelf begins to change sharply into the continental slope
Explanation: Shelf break is like the boundary between shallow shelf and steep slope. Exam tip: see it as a key bend in the depth profile.
07 What process may be indicated by fan-shaped deposits on the ocean floor?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Transport and deposition of sediments from the slope B Effect of lunar eclipse C Formation of atmospheric ozone D Expansion of a land desert
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Transport and deposition of sediments from the slope
Explanation: Submarine fans can form by sediment flows and deposition. Exam tip: remember them near continental slope and rise.
08 How can an oceanic plateau be distinguished from a normal abyssal plain?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A It is a broad elevated area, while the plain is relatively flat and deep B It is always a sandy coastal part C It is only a river delta D It floats above sea level
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . It is a broad elevated area, while the plain is relatively flat and deep
Explanation: Oceanic plateaus can be large elevated regions on the sea floor. Exam tip: compare elevation of plateau and abyssal plain.
09 While mapping marine magnetic stripes, what does their parallel pattern indicate?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Ordered crust formation and spreading on the sea floor B Rice farming on coasts C Irregularity of air pressure D Complete stability of the sea floor
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Ordered crust formation and spreading on the sea floor
Explanation: Parallel magnetic stripes record sequential formation of new crust. Exam tip: link the stripes with evidence of sea-floor spreading.
10 How are abyssal hills identified in deep ocean-floor relief?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A As small irregular rises on deep plains B As sandy strips on continental coasts C Only as waves on sea surface D As river meanders
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . As small irregular rises on deep plains
Explanation: Abyssal hills are small elevated irregularities on deep ocean plains. Exam tip: distinguish them from larger ridges.
11 What hidden feature can a gravity anomaly map of the ocean floor indicate?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Seamount or dense crustal rise B Flight direction of seabirds C Taste of sea water D Coastal language zone
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Seamount or dense crustal rise
Explanation: Gravity anomalies show differences in mass distribution. Exam tip: connect them with indirect detection of seamounts.
12 Why is gridding of data necessary in ocean-floor mapping?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A To convert scattered measurements into a regular surface and map B To make the ship invisible C To change ocean colour D To stop waves permanently
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . To convert scattered measurements into a regular surface and map
Explanation: Gridding converts separate depth points into a continuous map surface. Exam tip: understand the difference between raw data and final map.
13 What is the main difference between ship-based sounding and satellite-based estimation?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Ship measures depth directly using sound, satellite estimates indirectly from sea surface and gravity B Satellite lands on the sea floor and cuts rocks C Ship measures only clouds D Both count only coastal population
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Ship measures depth directly using sound, satellite estimates indirectly from sea surface and gravity
Explanation: Ship measurement is more direct, while satellite method gives broad indirect estimates. Exam tip: separate direct and indirect methods.
14 Which sea-floor feature may be most closely related to transform faults?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Fracture zones B Continental shelf C Coral lagoon D River delta
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Fracture zones
Explanation: Transform faults may be linked with fracture zones on the sea floor. Exam tip: connect these linear features with plate motion.
15 What is the basis for considering a sea-floor area with little or no sediment as young?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A New floor has had less time for sediment accumulation B Young floor is always covered by fresh water C Sediments form only in land deserts D Old floor never has sediments
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . New floor has had less time for sediment accumulation
Explanation: Young oceanic crust may have thinner sediment cover. Exam tip: remember the relation between sediment thickness and age.
16 In a colour bathymetric map from multibeam sonar, what are colours generally used for?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A To show different depths and elevations B To show fish species C To show taste of seawater D To show coastal language
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . To show different depths and elevations
Explanation: Colours help to understand depth differences quickly. Exam tip: read the colour scale as a map key.
17 Why can fine sediments accumulate on abyssal plains even from distant sources?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Because fine particles can remain suspended in water for a long time B Because they always burn in air C Because they disappear as soon as they form on the sea floor D Because they come only from the Himalayas
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Because fine particles can remain suspended in water for a long time
Explanation: Fine particles settle slowly and can form deposits on deep floors. Exam tip: connect particle size with settling time.
18 If isobaths form closed loops and depth decreases inward on an ocean-floor map, what does it indicate?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Submarine rise or seamount B Oceanic trench C Perfectly flat floor D River delta
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Submarine rise or seamount
Explanation: Decreasing depth inward indicates a raised sea-floor feature. Exam tip: identify highs and lows from isobath pattern.
19 If closed isobaths show increasing depth inward, what may it indicate?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Deep depression or trench-like basin B Summit of a seamount C Continental coast D Flat coral rock
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Deep depression or trench-like basin
Explanation: Increasing depth inward identifies a depression. Exam tip: read closed isobaths carefully to decide high or low relief.
20 What is a common feature of a passive continental margin in sea-floor profile?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Wide shelf and greater sedimentation B Very narrow shelf and many deep trenches C Only mid-oceanic ridge D Absence of sea floor
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Wide shelf and greater sedimentation
Explanation: Passive margins may have large sediment cover and wide shelves. Exam tip: remember the difference between active and passive margins.
21 Why can the shelf be relatively narrow at an active continental margin?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Because slope may be steep and trenches may be near the plate boundary B Because there is no sea water there C Because there is only desert there D Because all sediments immediately go into the sky
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Because slope may be steep and trenches may be near the plate boundary
Explanation: Active margins may have steep and narrow tectonic profiles. Exam tip: connect active margins with trenches and earthquakes.
22 Why are profiles prepared even after plotting deep points in ocean-floor mapping?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Because a profile clearly shows slope and changes with distance B Because a profile makes seawater fresh C Because a profile makes a ship fly D Because a profile shows only weather
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Because a profile clearly shows slope and changes with distance
Explanation: A profile clarifies the sequence of shallow areas, slopes, plains and trenches. Exam tip: understand uses of both map and profile.
23 If a chain of seamounts is arranged in an age sequence, what process may it indicate?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Movement of a plate over a fixed hotspot B River flood C Stopping of tides D Change in coastal sand colour
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Movement of a plate over a fixed hotspot
Explanation: Plate movement over a hotspot can form an age-progressive seamount chain. Exam tip: link age sequence with evidence of plate motion.
24 How can a flat-topped submerged mountain on an ocean-floor map indicate an old sea-level effect?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Its top may have been flattened by wave erosion and later submerged B It always forms at a river mouth C It is formed by falling from clouds D It never has volcanic material
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Its top may have been flattened by wave erosion and later submerged
Explanation: A flat-topped guyot may indicate earlier wave erosion and later subsidence. Exam tip: use the flat top as an identifying clue.
25 In ocean-floor mapping, submarine canyons cutting the continental slope may be linked with which hazard?0 reads0 helpful★ – (0)
A Risk of damage to undersea cables and pipelines B Pest attack in farms C Urban traffic jam D Desert sandstorm
Answer and explanation Correct answer: A . Risk of damage to undersea cables and pipelines
Explanation: Canyons and sediment flows can affect marine infrastructure. Exam tip: connect ocean-floor mapping with resources and safety.