Why the Pacific ocean has few abyssal plains,unlike the Atlantic ocean?

Answer 1

Abyssal planes are created because sediment buries the otherwise rugged topography of the ocean crust. This sediment is transported largely by things called turbidity currents (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbidity_current). The Atlantic basin is ringed primarily by passive continental margins which allow these currents to transport the sediments well out into the basins. However, the Pacific ocean is ringed primarily by subduction zones. Subduction zones are usually marked by features that we call deep ocean trenches. These trenches are the deepest features of the ocean basins. As turbidity currents come off the continental margins in the Pacific, they usually continue down into the trenches where they become trapped. Therefore, the sediment they carry does no make it out into the Pacific basin. This is why there are fewer abyssal plains in the Pacific than there are in the Atlantic.

Answer 2

Definately Pacific Ocean

Answer 3

It's like this....The Atlantic has a volcanically active rift on a north-south axis and is located near the middle but favoring the European and African continents.

Therefore, the floorbed is being forced westward toward the America's and eastward toward Europe and Africa.

The Pacific tectonic plate has "hot spots" along the rim which coincidentally follows the edge of the Pacific Ocean to some degree. There is no rift in the center like the Atlantic.

While the Pacific plate is travelling in an ENE direction, it is being forced under the North American plate which again is travelling westward. In combination with the subsequent subduction that is occurring along the west coast of North America and Canada the westward motion of the American plate tends to cover up any formations on the Pacific floor while the Atlantic Basin stays relatively unchanged.

Answer 4

Abyssal Plains

Answer 5

I disagree, in fact, the Pacific has more abyssal plain (by area) than the Atlantic. There is more islands that interupt itm but it is still bigger. There happens to be more volcanic activity in the Pacific, or at least, the Atlantic's volcanism is focused along its rift.

Answer 6

Thank you QFL247, I agree with you 100%.