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A mid-ocean ridge is formed along a line created by sea floor spreading. It usually consists of parallel mountain ranges separated by a valley. Sea floor spreading is the result of plate tectonics, where two crustal plates are moving apart. The ridge is formed along lines of the weakest points between the two plates.

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5mo ago

When seafloor spreading occurs, new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges. As magma rises and solidifies, it forms a continuous mountain range known as a mid-ocean ridge. This process leads to the widening of ocean basins and the formation of underwater mountain ranges.

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Q: What physical feature is created when the seafloor spreads?
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How does seafoor age and magnetic clues support seafloor spreading?

Seafloor is youngest near the mid-ocean ridges and gets progressively older as you move away from the ridge. Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading, as they show alternating patterns of normal and reversed magnetic polarity that match the Earth's magnetic reversals over time. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading as new oceanic crust is created at the mid-ocean ridge and spreads outward.


Describe how seafloor spreading helps to explain the continental drift theory?

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is created and spreads outward from the ridge. As the crust spreads, it forces older crust away from the ridge, creating a conveyor belt-like movement of the ocean floor. This process provides evidence for the movement of continents over time, supporting the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.


Think critically The ideas of Hess Wegener and others emphasize that earth is a dynamic planet. How is seafloor spreading different from continental drift?

Seafloor spreading refers to the process where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward, pushing the continents apart. Continental drift, on the other hand, is the idea that the continents are slowly moving across the Earth's surface. Seafloor spreading is a mechanism that helps explain how continents drift apart as part of the larger theory of plate tectonics.


How does seafloor spreading explain continental drift?

Seafloor spreading is caused by two plates moving apart. This is caused by plate tectonics. Continental drift is also caused by plate tectonics. Therefore, we can conclude that continental drift is related to seafloor spreading. When the plates move, it carries the continents with it, and thus the continents drift away from each other.


When the seafloor spreads apart does hot saltwater move upward and flows from the cracks?

Yes, when the seafloor spreads apart, hot magma rises and creates new crust at mid-ocean ridges. This process can heat up seawater in the cracks, leading to hydrothermal vents where hot, mineral-rich water is ejected into the ocean.

Related questions

Diffusion?

The process by which a feature spreads from one place to another 


What are underwater mountains found at divergent plate boundaries were the seafloor spreads apart?

a underwater mountain


How does seafoor age and magnetic clues support seafloor spreading?

Seafloor is youngest near the mid-ocean ridges and gets progressively older as you move away from the ridge. Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading, as they show alternating patterns of normal and reversed magnetic polarity that match the Earth's magnetic reversals over time. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading as new oceanic crust is created at the mid-ocean ridge and spreads outward.


When was Love Spreads created?

Love Spreads was created in 1994-11.


Does seafloor spreading hold the plates in place?

No, seafloor spreading does not hold the plates in place. Seafloor spreading is a process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed and spreads apart. It is driven by the movement of tectonic plates, which are actually responsible for holding the seafloor in place.


Describe how seafloor spreading helps to explain the continental drift theory?

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is created and spreads outward from the ridge. As the crust spreads, it forces older crust away from the ridge, creating a conveyor belt-like movement of the ocean floor. This process provides evidence for the movement of continents over time, supporting the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.


What causes paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor?

Paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. As the seafloor spreads at mid-ocean ridges, molten rock solidifies to form new crust containing minerals aligned with the Earth's magnetic field. Over time, Earth's magnetic field reverses, leaving a record of these changes in the seafloor's magnetic stripes.


Think critically The ideas of Hess Wegener and others emphasize that earth is a dynamic planet. How is seafloor spreading different from continental drift?

Seafloor spreading refers to the process where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward, pushing the continents apart. Continental drift, on the other hand, is the idea that the continents are slowly moving across the Earth's surface. Seafloor spreading is a mechanism that helps explain how continents drift apart as part of the larger theory of plate tectonics.


How does seafloor spreading explain continental drift?

Seafloor spreading is caused by two plates moving apart. This is caused by plate tectonics. Continental drift is also caused by plate tectonics. Therefore, we can conclude that continental drift is related to seafloor spreading. When the plates move, it carries the continents with it, and thus the continents drift away from each other.


When the seafloor spreads apart does hot saltwater move upward and flows from the cracks?

Yes, when the seafloor spreads apart, hot magma rises and creates new crust at mid-ocean ridges. This process can heat up seawater in the cracks, leading to hydrothermal vents where hot, mineral-rich water is ejected into the ocean.


Why do magnetic stripes appear on the sea?

The seafloor spreads apart, creating new rocks that record magnetic orientation. Small grains of magnetite on the volcanic basalt (ocean floor) have magnetic properties.


Why do magnetic stripes appear on the seefloor?

The seafloor spreads apart, creating new rocks that record magnetic orientation. Small grains of magnetite on the volcanic basalt (ocean floor) have magnetic properties.