At what depth do abyssal plains generally lie?

Study for the Hydrographic Surveying Exam with comprehensive questions and detailed explanations. Test your knowledge and get ready for success!

Abyssal plains are extensive, flat, and deep areas of the ocean floor, typically found at depths ranging from around 4000 to 6000 meters. This range characterizes the profound depressions on the seabed that are largely covered in sediment. The sedimentation process contributes to the smooth and nearly featureless nature of abyssal plains, which contrasts with the more varied terrain found in shallower areas of the ocean.

The choice indicating a range of 4000-6000 m is thus accurate as it falls within the recognized depths where abyssal plains are predominantly located. These features play an important role in oceanic ecosystems and the overall structure of the ocean floor, and understanding their depth helps in marine biology, geology, and the study of oceanography.

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