Ocean Floor Processes and Discoveries

The video discusses the discovery of seafloor spreading by Harry Hess, who found that the ocean floor is progressively older as it moves away from the mid-Atlantic ridge. This process involves molten rock rising from the Earth's interior to form new crust, which is then pushed away as more rock emerges. To balance the creation of new crust, the process of subduction recycles the ocean floor back into the Earth, preventing the planet from growing in size.

What did the analysis of core samples and sonar readings around the mid-Atlantic ridge reveal?

• The Atlantic Ocean floor has no age variation.

• The Atlantic Ocean floor is younger the further it is from the ridge.

• The Atlantic Ocean floor is progressively older the further it is from the ridge.

• The Atlantic Ocean floor is uniformly aged.

Who discovered the phenomenon of seafloor spreading?

• Marie Tharp

• Harry Hess

• Alfred Wegener

• Charles Darwin

What is the process called where molten rock forms new crust on the ocean floor?

• Subduction

• Continental drift

• Seafloor spreading

• Plate tectonics

What happens to the new crust formed at the mid-Atlantic ridge?

• It moves towards the center of the ridge.

• It remains stationary.

• It is pushed away on either side.

• It sinks back into the mantle.

Why doesn't the Earth grow larger despite the formation of new crust?

• The new crust is pushed into space.

• The new crust evaporates.

• The new crust is very thin.

• The new crust is consumed or recycled in another area.

What is the process called that recycles the crust of the spreading ocean floor back inside the Earth?

• Seafloor spreading

• Subduction

• Mantle convection

• Crustal recycling