If the plates and therefore continents are constantly moving what effect does that have on oceans?

As tectonic plates move, they can have a profound impact on the shape and size of oceans. When plates collide, they can cause the formation of mountain ranges, such as the Himalayas, which can act as barriers between different bodies of water. This can lead to the formation of new oceans or the closing off of existing ones. For example, the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates created the Himalayan Mountains, which separated the Tethys Sea into the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

When plates move apart, they can create new oceanic crust, which can lead to the expansion of existing oceans or the formation of new ones. For example, the spreading of the Atlantic Ocean is caused by the movement of the North American and African plates away from each other, creating new ocean floor in the process.

In addition, plate movements can also affect the depth of oceans. When plates collide, the thickened crust can cause the ocean floor to rise, forming underwater mountain ranges or islands. Conversely, when plates move apart, the thinning crust can cause the ocean floor to sink, creating deep ocean basins. For example, the Mariana Trench, the deepest point in the Earth's oceans, is located in the Pacific Ocean, where the Pacific Plate is moving away from the Philippine Plate.

Overall, the movement of plates has a significant influence on the shape, size, and depth of oceans, playing a crucial role in the ever-changing geography of our planet.