What would you see if you drained the Atlantic Ocean?

What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The main feature of the Atlantic Ocean seabed is a huge mountain range called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. It rises over 2000 metres above the seabed and it is the longest mountain range on Earth, which extends for 40,389 km in length (the longest mountain range on land is the Andes, which extends for about 7,000 km). 

In places it rises above the surface of the ocean to form islands. At the centre of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a narrow steep-sided rift valley.

What is the deepest place on Earth?

Photo B shows the location of the Mariana Trench, the deepest place on Earth. Scientists have estimated that at its deepest point - Challenger Deep - the trench is about 11,000 metres below sea level. If Mount Everest were to be upended into the trench, it would be covered by over 2,000 metres of water!

Key Terms

• Mid-Atlantic Ridge - a mountain chain that runs north-south in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

• Rift valley - a narrow, steep-sided valley formed by the collapse of a central block of land.

• Fault - a tear or fracture in the Earth’s crust.