Seafloor Spreading Definition Earth Science

The mid ocean ridge is where the seafloor spreading occurs in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart.

Seafloor spreading definition earth science.

Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones and spreads out laterally away from them. Adjacent to the neovolcanic zone is one marked by fissures in the seafloor. Spreading centres are divided into several geologic zones.

Click here if you are a student at snowflake heber or holbrook to access the susd5 student version of seafloor spreading assignment. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process where there is a gradual addition of new oceanic crust in the ocean floor through a volcanic activity while moving the older rocks away from the mid oceanic ridge. Convection currents within the mantle take the continents on a conveyor belt ride of oceanic crust that over millions of years takes them around the planet s surface. In this section we are going to take alfred wegener s thoughts a little further.

Seafloor spreading definition a process in which new ocean floor is created as molten material from the earth s mantle rises in margins between plates or ridges and spreads out. It is 1 to 2 km 0 6 to 1 2 miles wide and is the site of recent and active volcanism and of the hydrothermal vents it is marked by chains of small volcanoes or volcanic ridges. This idea played a pivotal role in the development of the theory of plate tectonics which revolutionized geologic thought during the last quarter of the 20th century. Mantle convection is the slow churning motion of earth s mantle.

Geological science a series of processes in which new oceanic lithosphere is created at oceanic ridges spreads away from the ridges and returns to the earth s. Let s explore another idea called seafloor spreading. The neovolcanic zone is at the very axis. Purchase this seafloor spreading activity at teachers pay teachers for 1 50 cents.

Seafloor spreading is the mechanism for wegener s drifting continents.