Oceanography Plate Tectonics

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust is pushed away from the ridge, contributing to the movement of tectonic plates.

Front

What are mid-ocean ridges?

Back

Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed by plate tectonics, where tectonic plates are moving apart and magma rises to create new oceanic crust.

Front

What is magnetic striping on the ocean floor?

Back

Magnetic striping refers to the pattern of magnetic minerals in the oceanic crust that record the Earth's magnetic field reversals, providing evidence for seafloor spreading.

Front

What is the age of the oceanic crust?

Back

The age of the oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges, with the youngest crust found at the ridges and older crust found further away.

Front

What is the Earth's inner core?

Back

The Earth's inner core is a dense ball of solid iron and nickel located at the center of the Earth.

Front

What is the correct order of Earth's layers from the surface?

Back

The correct order is: crust, mantle, outer core, inner core.

Front

Which layer of Earth is liquid?

Back

The outer core is the layer of Earth that is liquid, composed mainly of molten iron and nickel.

Front

How do scientists study changes in Earth's interior?

Back

Scientists study changes in Earth's interior by analyzing seismic waves generated by earthquakes, which provide information about the structure and composition of Earth's layers.

Front

What is the mantle?

Back

The mantle is the thick layer of rock between the Earth's crust and outer core, composed of silicate minerals and responsible for tectonic plate movement.

Front

What is the outer core?

Back

The outer core is the liquid layer of the Earth located beneath the mantle and above the inner core, composed mainly of molten iron and nickel.