Seafloor Spreading

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Topographic Feature Noun

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[top-uh-graf-ik fee-cher]

Back

Topographic Feature

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A specific shape or feature on the surface of the Earth, such as a mountain range or a valley.

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Example: The image shows seafloor spreading, where tectonic plates move apart, forming new oceanic crust.

Front

Sediments Noun

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[sed-uh-muhnts]

Back

Sediments

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Material like rock, sand, and remains of organisms that settles at the bottom of a liquid, such as the ocean.

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Example: Sediments like rocks and sand settle at the bottom of the ocean, forming layers.

Front

Fossil Noun

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[fos-uhl]

Back

Fossil

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The preserved remains or traces of an organism from a past geologic age, used to determine the age of seafloor.

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Example: Dinosaur bones are fossils that help scientists learn about Earth's history.

Front

Oceanic Crust Noun

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[oh-shee-an-ik krust]

Back

Oceanic Crust

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The relatively thin, dense part of Earth's crust that underlies the ocean basins and is continuously recycled.

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Example: Magma rises at a divergent boundary, creating new oceanic crust as it cools.

Front

Continental Crust Noun

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[kon-tuh-nen-tl krust]

Back

Continental Crust

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The thick, less dense part of Earth's crust that forms large landmasses and is much older than oceanic crust.

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Example: The image shows the continental crust as the thick part of Earth's crust, highlighting its difference from the oceanic crust.

Front

Mid-Ocean Ridge Noun

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[mid-oh-shuhn rij]

Back

Mid-Ocean Ridge

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A long, underwater mountain range system where new ocean floor is formed by upwelling magma from the mantle.

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Example: The image shows a mid-ocean ridge where magma rises to form new ocean floor.

Front

Geologist Noun

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[jee-ol-uh-jist]

Back

Geologist

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A scientist who studies the Earth's physical structure and substance, its history, and the processes which act on it.

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Example: Arrows show how Earth's layers move, similar to seafloor spreading.

Front

Tectonic Plate Noun

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[tek-ton-ik pleyt]

Back

Tectonic Plate

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A massive, irregularly shaped slab of solid rock that makes up the Earth's lithosphere and moves over the asthenosphere.

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Example: The image shows tectonic plates moving over the asthenosphere, demonstrating how seafloor spreading occurs.

Front

Hypothesis Noun

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[hy-poth-uh-sis]

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Hypothesis

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A proposed explanation for a phenomenon made as a starting point for further investigation and scientific testing.

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Example: This diagram shows how a hypothesis is formed from observations and questions, and then tested through experiments.

Front

Seafloor Spreading Noun

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[see-flor spred-ing]

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Seafloor Spreading

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The process by which new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges and pushes older crust away from the ridge.

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Example: Magma rises at mid-ocean ridges, forming new crust and pushing older crust away.

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