Sea Floor Spreading

Front

What is sea floor spreading?

Back

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and gradually moves away from the ridge, causing the ocean floor to expand.

Front

What are the magnetic patterns found on the ocean floor?

Back

The magnetic patterns on the ocean floor show alternating bands of normal and reversed polarity, which provide evidence for sea floor spreading.

Front

Where is the oldest seafloor located?

Back

The oldest seafloor is located farthest from the mid-ocean ridge.

Front

At which type of plate boundary does sea floor spreading occur?

Back

Sea floor spreading occurs at divergent boundaries.

Front

How does new crust form without increasing Earth's surface area?

Back

New crust forms at mid-ocean ridges while old crust is destroyed at subduction zones, maintaining the Earth's surface area.

Front

What is the average speed at which continents move?

Back

Continents move apart or come together at speeds of a few centimeters per year.

Front

What is a mid-ocean ridge?

Back

A mid-ocean ridge is an underwater mountain range formed by plate tectonics, where sea floor spreading occurs.

Front

What is the significance of paleomagnetism in sea floor spreading?

Back

Paleomagnetism provides evidence of the history of Earth's magnetic field and supports the theory of sea floor spreading.

Front

What is a divergent boundary?

Back

A divergent boundary is a tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust.

Front

What role do subduction zones play in sea floor spreading?

Back

Subduction zones are areas where old oceanic crust is pushed back into the mantle, balancing the creation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges.