In geology, a trough is a linear
structural depression that extends laterally over a distance. Although it is less steep than a
''trench'', a trough can be a narrow
basin or a geologic
rift
In geology, a rift is a linear zone where the lithosphere is being pulled apart and is an example of extensional tectonics. Typical rift features are a central linear downfaulted depression, called a graben, or more commonly a half-graben ...
. These features often form at the rim of
tectonic plate
Plate tectonics (, ) is the scientific theory that the Earth's lithosphere comprises a number of large tectonic plates, which have been slowly moving since 3–4 billion years ago. The model builds on the concept of , an idea developed durin ...
s.
There are various oceanic troughs on the
ocean floors.
Examples of oceanic troughs
*
Benue Trough
*
Cayman Trough
*
Hesperides Trough
*
Kings Trough
*
Mariana Trough
*
Nankai Trough
*
Northumberland Trough
*
Okinawa Trough in the East China Sea
*
Rockall Trough and others along the rift of the
mid-oceanic ridge
A mid-ocean ridge (MOR) is a seafloor mountain system formed by plate tectonics. It typically has a depth of about and rises about above the deepest portion of an ocean basin. This feature is where seafloor spreading takes place along a ...
*
Salton Trough
*
South Shetland Trough
*
Suakin Trough[Dinwiddie, Robert et al. (2008) ''Ocean: The World's Last Wilderness Revealed'', London, Dorling Kindersley, page 452.] in the Red Sea
*
Timor Trough
See also
*
Oceanic basin
In hydrology, an oceanic basin (or ocean basin) is anywhere on Earth that is covered by seawater. Geologically, most of the ocean basins are large Structural basin, geologic basins that are below sea level.
Most commonly the ocea ...
*
Thalweg
*
Walker Lane
The Walker Lane is a geologic trough roughly aligned with the California/Nevada border southward to where Death Valley intersects the Garlock Fault, a major left lateral, or sinistral, strike-slip fault. The north-northwest end of the Walker ...
References
Depressions (geology)
Structural geology
{{geomorph-stub