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Describe a mid-ocean ridge

Updated: 5/25/2024
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14y ago

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a long, seismically active submarine ridge system situated in the middle of an ocean basin and marking the site of the upwelling of magma associated with seafloor spreading. An example is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. They are a result of SeafloorSpreading.

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6y ago
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1mo ago

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain chain where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity. It marks the boundary between tectonic plates and is characterized by deep rift valleys and high temperature hydrothermal vents that support unique ecosystems. Mid-ocean ridges are found in all major ocean basins and play a key role in the process of seafloor spreading.

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15y ago

Mid-ocean ridges are a line of volcanic mountains under the oceans between the continents. As the oceanic plates are being pulled apart by the processes of plate tectonics, magma is formed from decompression melting in the mantle, and rises upward to fill in the gap that is created. Because this material solidifies and is still hot, it is buoyant and rises higher than the surrounding seafloor, creating the ridges. As it is pulled away from the spreading point by plate tectonics, it gradually cools, making it less buoyant; it gradually drops in elevation.

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7y ago

A long, seismically active submarine ridge system situated in the middle of an ocean basin and marking the site of the upwelling of magma associated with seafloor spreading. An example is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

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15y ago

The mid-ocean ridge is the Earth's longest continuous mountain range, approximately 55-65 thousand kilometers long and bilaterally divided by a valley called a rift. The mid-ocean ridge is a volcanic feature caused by the spreading apart of oceanic plates as part of plate tectonics. The sea floor at the ridges are uplifted by rising magma. The rising magma is part of a process of heat transfer from the interior of the Earth to the surface known as a convection current. As the rising magma cools, it forms new crust which becomes part of the ridge. Therefore, the ridge is composed of basalt and gabbro, and is among the most recent of geologic age crustal rock.

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14y ago

The definition of mid-ocean ridge is A huge underwater mountain range by www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/bbb-lgb/library-bibliotheque/glossary-glossaire/index_e.asp.

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Q: Describe a mid-ocean ridge
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Where do midocean ridges intersect the landmasses?

Midocean ridges are areas where continents broke apart. Midocean ridges are closest to the landmasses in younger oceans. One example where a midocean ridge intersected a landmass is the Arabian sea, which was formed by the pulling apart of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.


Is the Mid-Oceanic Ridge in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean?

One of the midocean ridges is, but others are in other oceans, seas, and bays.


What is a force that is causing the plates to move at a midocean ridge?

friction - convection currents in the mantle drag the plates away from the hot rising zone below the ridgegravity - gravity pulls down on the cold dense plate being subducted under the continent, dragging the plate away from the ridge


What is the difference between a rift valley and a mid ocean ridge and what kinds of boundaries do they form at?

A rift valley is a large depression where tectonic plates are moving apart, creating a gap in the Earth's crust. This forms at divergent boundaries, where plates move away from each other. A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by the divergence of tectonic plates. They also form at divergent boundaries, specifically at oceanic spreading centers.


What is the term for natural break in a mountain ridge that provides a way through a mountain a barrier?

A pass or a saddle is a term used to describe a natural break in a mountain ridge that provides a way through a barrier. It serves as a route for transportation and often connects two valleys or regions separated by the mountain range.

Related questions

Where do midocean ridges intersect the landmasses?

Midocean ridges are areas where continents broke apart. Midocean ridges are closest to the landmasses in younger oceans. One example where a midocean ridge intersected a landmass is the Arabian sea, which was formed by the pulling apart of the Arabian Peninsula and Africa.


Is the Mid-Oceanic Ridge in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean?

One of the midocean ridges is, but others are in other oceans, seas, and bays.


Do Ocean sediments become younger or older away from midocean ridges?

Older, as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridge the sediment gets thicker and older


What is the difference between a rift valley and a mid ocean ridge and what kinds of boundaries do they form at?

A rift valley is a large depression where tectonic plates are moving apart, creating a gap in the Earth's crust. This forms at divergent boundaries, where plates move away from each other. A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by the divergence of tectonic plates. They also form at divergent boundaries, specifically at oceanic spreading centers.


When was MidOcean Partners created?

MidOcean Partners was created in 2003.


What are the differences between ocean ridge and seamount?

The midocean ridges are the spreading centers where the plates are moving apart. The seamounts are extinct volcanos produced as the plate passed over a mantle hotspot.


What is a force that is causing the plates to move at a midocean ridge?

friction - convection currents in the mantle drag the plates away from the hot rising zone below the ridgegravity - gravity pulls down on the cold dense plate being subducted under the continent, dragging the plate away from the ridge


The movement of the ocean floor on either side of a midocean ridge is best known as?

it is known as sea floor spreading. this is when the oceanic plates diverge or move apart which causes the magma from the mantle to rise forming new sea floor.


What is located in midocean ridges?

At mid-ocean ridges, tectonic plates are moving apart, creating new oceanic crust through volcanic activity. This results in the formation of underwater mountain chains and hydrothermal vents, which support unique ecosystems due to the high temperatures and mineral-rich waters.


Where is active seafloor spreading occurring today?

Active seafloor spreading is occurring today primarily in the mid-ocean ridges, such as the East Pacific Rise, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, and the Southwest Indian Ridge. These areas have volcanic activity and tectonic plates moving away from each other, creating new oceanic crust.


Where are the midocean ridges offset the most by faults?

At transform faults or transform zones.


Where do oceanic plates touch on earth?

Oceanic plates typically touch at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed as magma rises from the mantle and solidifies. Additionally, oceanic plates can also interact at subduction zones, where one plate is forced beneath another, leading to the formation of deep ocean trenches and volcanic activity.