Seafloor Spreading

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates move apart.

Front

What is the role of convection currents in plate tectonics?

Back

Convection currents in the Earth's mantle drive the movement of tectonic plates, causing them to diverge, converge, or slide past each other.

Front

What is subduction?

Back

Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate sinks beneath another, often leading to volcanic activity and the formation of mountain ranges.

Front

What is continental drift?

Back

Continental drift is the hypothesis that continents have moved over geological time and were once joined together in a single landmass.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by the upwelling of magma at divergent tectonic plate boundaries.

Front

What happens when oceanic and continental plates collide?

Back

When oceanic and continental plates collide, the denser oceanic plate typically sinks beneath the continental plate, leading to subduction.

Front

What is the average density of continental crust?

Back

The average density of continental crust is approximately 2.8 g/cm³.

Front

What is the average density of oceanic crust?

Back

The average density of oceanic crust is approximately 3.2 g/cm³.

Front

What geological feature is formed at divergent boundaries?

Back

At divergent boundaries, mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys are formed as tectonic plates pull apart.

Front

What is the significance of lava rising at mid-ocean ridges?

Back

Lava rising at mid-ocean ridges is significant because it creates new oceanic crust as tectonic plates separate.