What This Module is About

The Earth’s dynamic and ever-changing state provide us scenario that Earth
undergo constant change. These changes caused by either slow or fast processes
that allow the formation of Earth’s structure beneath or on the surface. Such wind,
water, and ice erode can shape the land. Geologic processes like volcanic activity
and earthquakes alter the landscape in a dramatic and somehow in violent manner.
As geologic time spans, the movement of earth’s plates slowly reconfigures oceans
and continents.

Earth’s surface makes up about 70 percent water and with 96.5 percent holds
ocean. With these information, this module is designed for Senior High School
learners to explore the concepts of how these Earth’s feature contributes to
understanding on Earth’s processes that create the structure and formation of the
ocean basins. As cited by Dr.Gillaspy, with a lot of new structures being created and
shaped, then ocean basins are active. Moreover, the active basins undergo change
mainly in the areas where tectonic activities take place. But if where their surface is
slow to change and does little more than collect sediment so they can be inactive.
The Gulf of Mexico is an example of an inactive ocean basin where the main change
that happens is the slow depositing of sand and sediment.

Along this module, there are several standard symbols or icons used as you
go about in the completion of this module. Each icon gives instruction to guide you
as you continuously endeavour for this new normal of learning modality. Together,
let us explore this module as we learn the concept of ocean basins, structure, and
formation. Provision of basic concepts with figures, pictures, and varied activities will
surely help the 21st century learners to be more explorative and critical thinkers.

The following are the lessons contained in this module:

1. Structure of Ocean Basins;
2. Evolution of Ocean Basins.

What I Need to Know

At the end of this module, you should be able to describe the structure and
evolution of ocean basins (S11/12ES-IIf-33).

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 What I Know

Pre-Test: MULTIPLE CHOICE:

Directions: Read and understand each item and choose the letter of the correct
answer. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. About how many percent of the planet’s surface is made up of ocean basins?
A. 60 % C. 75 %
B. 70 % D. 80 %

2. Which of the following tool is the most convenient and portable way to represent
the surface of the earth?
A. globe C. piece of paper
B. map D. all of the choices

3. What theory that explains the dynamics of the earth’s surface which resulted to
the interaction of the overlying rigid plates with the underlying mantle?
A. Earth movements C. Tectonic activity
B. Plate tectonics D. all of the choices

4. What do you call to the regions that are below sea level?
A. crustal plates C. sonar
B. ocean basins D. none of the choices

5. It is an instrument that accurately determines the tie between the emissions of a

strong acoustic pulse, and the detection of its echo.
A. Echo sounder C. Side-scan sonar
B. Satellites D. Sonar

6. Which of the following is/are result/s in the creation of many ocean basins
features?
A. earthquakes C. volcanism
B. mountain formation D. all of the choices

7. A small elevated landform that rises from the great depths of the ocean
is called ________.
A. Abyssal hill C. Ocean trenches
B. Guyot D. Seamount

8. Which of the following ocean basin feature described as long- narrow, steep-sided
depressions found on the ocean floor?
A. Abyssal hill C. Ocean trenches
B. Guyot D. Seamount

9. What do you call to the deepest part of the ocean floor?

A. In submarine canyons C. In oceanic trenches
B. In the abyssal plains D. In rift valleys

II
10. What feature which is similar to a seamount, but it is a submerged volcanic
mountain with a flat top?
A. Abyssal hill C. Ocean floor
B. Guyot D. Seamount

11. An ‘abyss’ is something that is very ___________.

A. deep B. far C. long D. narrow

12. Which of the following feature described as the continuous mountain chains
located under the surface of the sea?
A. Abyssal plain C. Oceanic ridges
B. Mountain ranges D. Oceanic trenches

13. Which among of the major ocean basins has the simplest pattern of ocean-floor
ages?
A. Arctic ocean C. Indian ocean
B. Atlantic ocean D. Pacific Ocean

14. Which of the following major ocean basin occupies about one-third of Earth's
Surface?
A. Arctic ocean C. Indian ocean
B. Atlantic ocean D. Pacific Ocean

15. How are oceanic basins formed?

A. When there was an increase in available water, or a fall of landmass.
B. Due to seafloor spreading and the movement of tectonic plates.
C. When water has covered a large portion of the Earth’s crust.
D. All of the choices

III
 Lesson The Structure of
1 Ocean Basins

What I Need to Know

The surface layer of Earth consists of a number of rigid plates that are in
continual motion. These geologic processes that occur on the surface of the Earth
are weathering, erosion, mass wasting, and sedimentation. In these processes, the
role of ocean basins in the formation of sedimentary rocks are included.
The ocean basins are transient features over geologic time, changing shape
and depth while the process of plate tectonics occurs. Thus, in this lesson, you are
expected to describe the structure of ocean basins.
But before we go further, have you accomplished the pretest? Do not worry
with your score. This activity tells your preparedness about the lessons in this
module.

What’s In
In the
process of forming new igneous rock at mid-ocean ridges. This
formation was due to the injection of magma that forms new seafloor. As it
continuously processes because of forces, the opposite sides of the mid-ocean ridge
will constantly move apart, making new room for the process to repeat. Ever-
widening of the seafloor at the expense of area lost elsewhere on the planet.
Seafloor spreading is one of the tectonics activity processes that occur along mid-
ocean ridges rising from the ocean floor. This activity will result in the creation of
many ocean basins features.

The planet’s surface is made up of about 70 % of ocean basins, which are the
regions that are below sea level. These areas hold the majority of the planet’s water.
Thus, an ocean basin can be thought of a large bowl that holds ocean water.
Oceanic basin landforms have two main characteristics namely: Land that
exists under an ocean and includes all topographical features. These topographical
features include the continental shelf, abyssal plain, mid-ocean ridge, and other
formations that may exist on the seafloor. These features on the ocean basin are
obtained by using different technologies such as echo sounder, side-scan sonar, and
satellites. Usually, sonar is used to determine accurately the time between the
emission of a strong acoustic pulse, and the detection of its echo. The measurement
of ocean depths and the charting of the shape or topography of the ocean floor can
be measured which is called a bathymetry. The next page is an image (figure 1)
showing the structure and geology of the ocean floor.
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 Figure 1: Geology of the Ocean Floor

What Is It

The ocean floor is verbatim referring to the floor of the ocean. If you happen to
dive into the bottom of the ocean then you have gone to the floor of the ocean.
However, special diving equipment requires since the water pressure is very high
farther down you go. Using the principle of sound reflection, scientists can determine
the depth of the ocean.
Ocean basins are areas found under the sea. These areas can be relatively
inactive areas where deposits of sediment slowly collect, or active areas where
tectonic plates meet. The ocean floors contain features that you might recognize as
being similar to some structures on land. Go back to Figure 1 (Geology of the Ocean
Floor). The ocean floor is primarily composed of basalt and gabbro. These are dark-
colored igneous rocks with the same composition, and density (~2.9 g/cm3).
However, these rocks are formed in different environments. When the magma erupts
onto the ocean floor, basalt will form. Meanwhile, gabbro crystallizes from magma
that cools within the oceanic crust.

Your understanding will be deepened as you go further with this module. You
will explore the ocean basin structures or features such as oceanic ridges, trenches,
abyssal hill/plane, seamount, guyot, continental rise, continental shelf, and
continental slope. You will also learn how ocean basins formed and evolved.
The Structures of Ocean Basins
1. Mid-oceanic Ridge. This feature constitutes 23 % of the Earth’ surface. It is
normally found rising above the ocean floor at the center of the ocean basins. Some
volcanic islands are part of the mid-ocean ridge system like Iceland.

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 Figure 2: Mid-Oceanic Ridges in Iceland
2. Ocean Trenches. They are long narrow, steep-sided depressions that contain
the greatest depths in the ocean.
3. Abyssal Hill/Plain. As shown in figures 3, this another raised feature found within
ocean basins. Remember that an ‘abyss’ is something that is very deep.
Therefore, an abyssal hill is found on the deep ocean floor, meanwhile, abyssal
plains are so flat because they are covered with sediments that have been washed
off the surface of the continents for thousands of years.

Figure 3: Ocean Basin Features

4. Seamounts. These features can be very large submerged volcanic mountain
reaching heights up to 10,000 feet as shown in figure 3. However, they remain
submerged under the surface of the water.
5. Guyot. It is similar to a seamount, but it is submerged volcanic mountain with
a flat top. Guyot’s structure is due to erosive processes caused by waves after years
(refer to figure 3).
6. Continental Rise. This feature found gently sloping area before the ocean floor
and at the base of the continental slope and formed by emerging accumulate
deposits at the mounts of many submarine canyons.
7. Continental Shelf. As shown closely in figure 4, a continental shelf is a shallow,
gently sloping part of the continent crust.
8. Continental Slope. This part of the ocean basin extends and slopes after the
continental shelf. The boundary between the continental slope and shelf is called
continental shelf break.

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 Figure 4: Other Features of Ocean Basins
Ocean basins are divided into three major provinces such as continental
margins, deep-ocean basins, and oceanic or mid-ocean ridges. Each having unique
physical and geologic characteristics. The major physiographic features that occur
beneath the oceans from the world's coastlines to the deep expanse of the ocean
basins. However, despite being the 21st century, there are ocean basin remain
mostly unexplored. Remember, 70 % of the Earth’s surface covers water. The
difficulty of exploring the deep, dark expanse of the world’s oceans able the world’s
scientific community to collaborate to gather and provide information about the
nature and origin of ocean basin features.
Majority of water on the planet have an average depth of almost 4 km (about
2.5 miles). The possibility of mapping the ocean floors is by the used of the charts.
Specifically, the bathymetry is the measure of depth of water in oceans, seas, lakes,
and rivers.

Lesson The Evolution of

2 Ocean Basins

What’s In
In lesson 1 of this module, we explore the major physical features of ocean
basins. Each feature varies its characteristics including deepness. Ocean basins are
depressed area containing a thick stratigraphic succession derived from the
continents and intrabasinal sources. Now, how do these features formed? How
ocean basins evolved in the midst of vast Earth’s processes and features?

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 As part of transitory features over geologic time, the ocean basins change in
shape and depth during tectonic movements. Probably, extending back 2 billion
years, the ocean basins have both grown and been consumed as plate tectonic
continued on Earth. Hence, the Earth’s surface layer consists of rigid plates that are
in continual motion which is the lithosphere.

What I Need to Know

Earth’s processes may change and create structures which somehow add to
Earth’s geologic history. The exogenic and endogenic processes on Earth may lead
to varied formation of major ocean basins on the surface of the Earth. There are
factors affecting ocean basins formation and evolution. Usually, Earth’s forces and
energy contribute to constant motion thus producing different ocean floor. With the
Earth’s composition and dynamism, oceanic surface continues to evolve. Thus, in
this lesson, you are expected to describe the evolution of ocean basins.

What Is It

The Evolution of Ocean Basins

All the ocean basins were formed as the results of tectonic forces like from
volcanic rock that was released from fissures located at the mid-oceanic ridges. The
oldest rocks found in the ocean basin are approximately 200 million years ago.
However, the oceanic crust is much younger than most continental crust. The reason
for this difference is that tectonic processes destroy old oceanic rocks. When
oceanic crust is subducted, the oceanic rock is returned to the Earth’s mantle. Many
of these subduction zones occur at the continental margins where the oceanic crust
meets continental crust. Subduction also creates the oceans’ deep trenches. In
general, plate tectonics is a theory that configures the evolution of the ocean basins.
This theory explains the dynamics of the earth’s surface which resulted to the
interaction of the overlying rigid plates with the underlying mantle.
There are five ocean basins from largest to the smallest are: the Pacific,
Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. The largest and deepest ocean on earth is the
Pacific Ocean. It covers 63,800,000 square miles (165,200,000 square km), a third
of the Earth's surface. Among the major ocean basins, Atlantic Ocean has the
simplest pattern of ocean-floor ages.
To explore more on the formation of the ocean basins, you may refer to a
simple Wilson Cycle- The Opening and Closing of An Ocean Basin. You may refer to
this website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_q3sAcuzIY.

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Ocean Basin and Continent Boundaries
Both the continental and oceanic crusts lie over a more uniform layer called
mantle. However, in terms of location and thickness, ocean basins lie much lower
than sea level, denser, and thin. Meanwhile, the continents stand high above sea
level, light, and thick. As an analogy, think of thick piece of styrofoam and piece of
wood. Allow the two to float in a tub of water. Which do you think rises higher out of
the water? Which represents oceanic crust? How about the continental boundaries
or crust?

What’s More
.
Learning Activity 1: Matching Type.
Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on column B, write only the
letter of answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Column A Column B

1. A small elevated landform that rises A. Seamount

from the great depths of the ocean B. Ocean floor
2. A large submerged volcanic mountain C. Abyssal hill
rising from the ocean floor D. Guyot (gee·yow)
3. A submerged volcanic mountain with E. Ocean trenches
a flat top F. Continental rise
4. Found at the base of the continental G. Continental slope
rise in water H. Continental shelf
5. Long narrow, steep-sided I. Mid-Ocean ridges
depressions found on the ocean floor J. Magma
6. Formed by emerging accumulated
deposits at the mounts of many
submarine canyons
7. A shallow, gently sloping part of the
continental crust
8. A feature that extends from the
continental shelf
9. Hot molten rocks
10. A seafloor mountain system formed
by plate tectonics.

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Learning Activity 2: How is the ocean basin defined?
Fill in the blanks with word/s to complete the information. Write your answer on
separate answer sheet.
An ocean basin is a massive depressed zone filled with ocean __ (1) ____.
About
__ (2) ___% of the Earth’s surface holds ocean basins. The physical and major
features that are found in the ocean basins are ____ (3) ______, ____(4)_____,
____(5)_____, _____(6)_____, ____(7)____, and ____(8)______.

The _____ (9) _________is the most prominent feature on Earth’s surface
and are found in every _____ (10) _________ and seem to girdle Earth. Moreover,
ocean basins can be divided into three major provinces such as _____ (11)
________. ___ (12) ________, and ____ (13) _____.

Commonly, what are found on the ocean basin’s features were the results of
the so called geologic ____ (14) _______. These natural occurrences are part of the
Earth’s processes and continuously ___ (15) ________ due to Earth’s dynamic
features.

Learning Activity 3: Essay

To synthesize your learning, answer the following questions in brief but

concise. Use separate answer sheet.

1. Describe five major ocean basins.

2. Did you notice that the world ocean has traditionally been divided into ocean
basins? Is dividing up the ocean this way is beneficial? Why or why not?

3. Describe each major physical features of ocean basins.

4. Do you think that all ocean basins have the same physical features? Why or why
not?

5. Despite of vast information and technological advancement, why is it that mapping

the ocean floor is quite difficult?

What I Have Learned

1. Ocean basins are areas found and lie below sea level.

2. An ocean basin can be thought of as large bowl that holds about 70

% of water on Earth’s surface.

3. Tectonic activities result in the creation of many ocean basins.

4. Technologies such as echo sounder and satellites can determine

the depth of the ocean.
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 5. Mid-oceanic ridge is found rising above the ocean floor and at the
center of the ocean basin.

6. Abyssal hill/plane is a small elevated landforms from the ocean floor.

7. Seamount is a large submerged volcanic mountain.

8. Guyot is a submerged volcanic mountain with a flat top.

9. Ocean trenches are long narrow and steep-sided depressions at the

ocean floor.

10. Ocean floor accounts for nearly 30 % of the Earth’s surface found at
the base of the continental rise.

11. Continental rise is formed by emerging accumulated deposits.

12. Continental shelf has a shallow and gentle slope as part of the
continental crust.

13. Continental slope extends from the continental shelf.

14. Tectonic forces and processes are factors in the formation and
evolution of ocean basins.

15. Subduction also creates the ocean’s deep trenches.

16. Ocean basins lie much lower than sea level, denser, and thin .

17. Continents stand high above sea level, light, and thick.

What I Can Do

In order for you to develop mastery of the competency of this lesson, perform the
following activity.

Performing Task 1: Locate Ocean Basins and Continents

What to Do? Locate and label the ocean basins and continents
on a world map.

Materials Needed:
 Fig. 5 Pseudocylindrical Map Projection of the Earth
 Pencil
 Crayons or colored
 Globe or map of the earth
8
 Procedure:

1. Use a pencil and pseudocylindrical map (figure 5) to locate

and label the major ocean basins and continents.

2. For your reference, you may read more about different

characteristics of the major ocean basins and boundaries.

3. Use also a globe or map of the earth if needed to check your

answers.

4. With your crayons, color-code your answered map with

legend to the map indicating how you used each color.

Activity Questions:

1. How did you locate and label your pseudocyclindrical map?

2. What did you observe on the general shape of each ocean basin?
Describe and tell something.

Figure 5: Pseudocyclindrical Map Projection of the Earth. The Land on this map is
green even if it is covered by ice. This map does not show sea ice.

9
 This part of the module is designed to show-case your skills and knowledge
gained, and applied into real-life concerns and situation. To do this, a performance
task is assigned to you as learner.
Performance Task 2: Inquiry- Based Learning

Purpose: This task is aimed to let you explore the challenges of scientists (e.g.
geologists) in mapping the ocean basins and how the Earth’s processes affect the
structure of ocean basins.
Materials Needed:
 Articles/ report from the internet or magazines/ journals
 Short bond paper
 Ballpen
Procedure:
1. Look for an article or report about exploration of ocean basins. You may do
research from the website using journals, report, or any relevant documents.
Take note of your reference/source.
2. Have a soft copy of the article for you and your teacher’s reference.
3. Read and comprehend the article for your inquiry-based learning.
4. Write a brief but concise summary of the article in a piece of paper (or as
prescribed by your teacher). Kindly focus on the information about ocean
basins, technology application or any method used, and the challenges along
the discovery or exploration.
5. A rubric (criteria for rating) is provided for you to be guided in writing your
summary. See the attached rubric below.

Rubrics 1 : for Essay/ Writing Activity

Criteria & Descrip Unsatisfacto Needs Satisfactor Outstanding

Percentage tive ry Improvement y RATIN
Rating G
score 1 2 3 4 (Score
x %)

- Content is - Content is - Content - Content is

Content & incomplete. not is comprehensi
Development - Major points comprehensiv accurate. ve and
are not clear. e, - Major accurate.
(70 %) -Specific -Major points points are - Major points
examples are are stated. are stated
not used. addressed, - clearly and
but not well Response are well
supported. s are supported.
- Responses adequate - Responses
are and are excellent,
inadequate or address timely and
do not topic. address
address topic. - Content topic.
-Specific is clear. - Content is
examples do -Specific clear.
not support examples -Specific
topic. are used. examples are
used.
 - Organization - Structure of - Structure -Structure of
and structure the paper is is mostly the paper is
detract from not easy to clear and clear and
the message. follow. easy to easy to
Organization - Writing is - Transitions follow. follow.
& Structure disjointed and need - - Transitions
lacks improvement. Transition are logical
(15 %) transition of - Conclusion s are and maintain
thoughts. is missing, or present. the flow of
if provided, - thought
does not flow Conclusio throughout
from the body n is the paper.
of the paper. logical. - Conclusion
is logical and
flows from
the body of
the paper.
Grammar,
Punctuation - Paper - Paper - Rules of - Rules of
& Spelling contains contains few grammar, grammar,
numerous grammatical, usage, usage, and
(15 %) grammatical, punctuation and punctuation
punctuation, and spelling punctuatio are followed;
and spelling errors. n are spelling is
errors. followed correct.
with minor
errors.
Spelling is
correct.
TOTAL RATING

Rubric 2: Imaginary Illustration

Criteria Fair Good Very Good
3 pts 4 pts 5 pts

Idea/ Picks passage Picks appropriate idea to Picks

Content from the text that base the illustration, and appropriate
is not easily the thought and selection from
represented by originality could be the text that
illustration, and the better. displays
idea has not been understanding of
well thought out. imagery to base
the illustration
Organization Shows somewhat Shows organized Shows extremely
organized structure of information of organized
structure of less the concept with effort to structure of
information of the meet expectation information of
concept with fair the concept
effort to meet the beyond
expectation. expectation

Output Creates an artistic Creates an artistic Creates an

representation that representation that has artistic
has little or no some connections to representation
 application to the their scene and imagery. that clearly
scene and Shows great effort to displays
imagery. meet the expectation. connections to
Shows fair effort to imagery and
meet the their scene from
expectation the text.
Shows
exceptional effort
beyond
expectations.

Assessment: (Post -Test)

I. MULTIPLE CHOICE:
Directions: Read and understand each item and choose the letter of the correct
Answer. Use a separate answer sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following that explains the theory of plate tectonics?

A. The origin of mountains and ocean basins and the shapes of the continents
on Earth.
B. Why the planet’s gravitational pull varies slightly from place to place on
Earth
C. How Earth and other objects in the Solar System formed
D. Why Earth’s magnetic field changes over time

2. What is the largest ocean on earth?

A. Arctic ocean C. Indian ocean
B. Atlantic ocean D. Pacific Ocean

3. What are the deepest parts of the ocean?

A. In ocean sinkholes. C. The middle of the ocean basins.
B. Near the continents. D. In trenches formed by subduction zones.

4. Which of the following geological record that shows the continents rift apart to
form ocean basins, other oceans must close?
A. Oceanic formation C. Pseudocylindrical Map
B. Plate tectonics D. Wilson Cycle

5. Suppose a large portion of the island of Hawaii catastrophically slides into the
Pacific Ocean. What would be the long-term effect on the remaining island?
A. The tourist industry would be devastated.
B. A new volcano would begin to grow.
C. It would begin to sink.
D. It would begin to rise.

6. How does an ocean basin form?

A. When there was an increase in available water, or a fall of landmass.
B. Due to seafloor spreading and the movement of tectonic plates.
C. When water has covered a large portion of the Earth’s crust.
D. All of the choices
7. Why is it that the Pacific Ocean basin has the most clay?
A. It has the most glacial ice
B. It is the shallowest.
C. It is the deepest.
D. It is the warmest.

8. How old are the oldest oceanic crustal basalts?

A. about 20 million years old C. about 570 million years old
B. about 200 million years old D. about 4.0 billion years old

9. What major ocean basin that lies between South America and Africa in the south
and North America and Europe in the north?
A. Arctic ocean C. Indian ocean
B. Atlantic ocean D. Pacific Ocean

10. What do you call to the measurement and charting of depth and shape of water
in oceans, seas, or lakes?
A. Altimetry B. Bathymetry C. Oceanography D. Sonimetry

II. ESSAY:
Directions: Answer briefly but concisely the following questions. Write your answer
on the provided sheet. Rubrics will be used in giving you points as shown on the next
page.

1. Explain the effects of any tectonic processes that occur on the earth’s surface.

2. What forms oceanic basins?

3. Which ocean basin has the most trenches? Why?