What’s Really Under the Ocean?

What is really under the salt water in our worldwide oceans? This activity will guide students to explore, investigate, and analyze our mysterious ocean floors. Students will be exposed to, learn about, and demonstrate basic understanding of ocean floor features and mapping using near time data.

Authors: Deanna Wheeler, Carmelina Livingston; EARTH 2011

Lesson Resources

• Lesson Plan (Word | PDF)
• Intro to Bathymetry (PowerPoint | PDF)
• “Drain the Ocean” Video
• Introductory photos
• Monterey Bay Fly-through—Google Earth (kmz file)
• Ocean Floor Features
  • Sonar Image Cards
  • Feature Classification
  • Vocabulary Cards
  • Student Assessment Page
• Teacher Reference
  • Background Info
  • Feature Classification Key
  • Assessment Key