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Ocean floor rocks and sediments provide evidence of sea floor spreading through their age and magnetic orientation. As new magma rises at mid-ocean ridges, it cools and solidifies, forming new oceanic crust that is progressively younger the closer it is to the ridge. Additionally, the magnetic orientation of minerals in these rocks records the Earth's magnetic field reversals, which occur at regular intervals, creating a mirror image of magnetic patterns on either side of the ridge. This symmetrical pattern of age and magnetism supports the theory of sea floor spreading.

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How is pillow lava evidence of sea-floor spreading?

Pillow lava forms when molten lava erupts underwater and cools rapidly, creating characteristic pillow-like structures. This type of lava is commonly found along mid-ocean ridges, which are areas where sea-floor spreading occurs. The presence of pillow lava on the ocean floor is evidence of volcanic activity associated with sea-floor spreading.


Strips of alternating magnetic polarities found in rocks in the ocean basin?

provide evidence for sea-floor spreading


Why did arthur Holmes think the sea floor was spreading?

Spreading Of ocean floor


What is true about the thickness and age of sediments at different locations on the ocean floor that supports seafloor spreading?

Seafloor spreading is supported by the observation that sediments are thinner and younger near mid-ocean ridges, where new crust is formed, and become progressively thicker and older as one moves away from the ridge. This pattern indicates that as new oceanic crust is created at the ridge, it pushes older crust outward, allowing sediment to accumulate over time. Additionally, the age of the sediments correlates with their distance from the ridge, providing strong evidence for the continuous process of seafloor spreading.


What evidence of sea floor spreading has come from?

Evidence of sea floor spreading has primarily come from the analysis of mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed by volcanic activity. Scientists have observed symmetrical patterns of magnetic striping on either side of these ridges, indicating that new rock is created and then moves outward as tectonic plates shift. Additionally, the age of ocean floor sediments increases with distance from the ridge, showing that the youngest material is found at the center of the ridge. These findings support the theory of plate tectonics and the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface.

Related Questions

How are ocean-floor rocks and sediments evidence of seafloor spreading?

Ocean-floor rocks near mid-ocean ridges show a symmetrical pattern of magnetized stripes parallel to the ridge axis. These stripes result from periodic reversals in Earth's magnetic field and provide evidence of seafloor spreading. Sediments on the ocean floor also show younger ages near the ridges, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading.


What is sea floor spreading and what evidence do we have to prove it is happening?

Magnetic minerals on the ocean floor.


What are the three types of the ocean floor sediments?

The three types of ocean floor sediments are Terrigenous, Biogenous, and Hydrogenous sediments.


Explain how ocean-floor rocks and sediments are evidence of seafloor spreading?

Ocean-floor rocks and sediments show a pattern of symmetric age distribution, with younger rocks near mid-ocean ridges and older rocks farther away. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and spreads away from them. As the crust moves, it picks up and records the magnetic signature of Earth's magnetic field, creating alternating magnetic stripes that are evidence of seafloor spreading.


How sea floor spreading provide evidence for tectonic plates?

by the plate tectonic and the ocean bridges


What evidence in rock supports the theory of seafloor spreading?

Convergence supports the theory of seafloor spreading. Samples of the deep ocean floor are evidence of seafloor spreading because the basaltic oceanic crust and overlapping sediment become younger as the mid-ocean ridge is approached. Also, the rock that makes up the floor of the ocean is younger than the continents.


What is a spreading center on the ocean floor?

sea floor-spreading..;)


What evidence in rocks supports the theory seafloor spreading?

Convergence supports the theory of seafloor spreading. Samples of the deep ocean floor are evidence of seafloor spreading because the basaltic oceanic crust and overlapping sediment become younger as the mid-ocean ridge is approached. Also, the rock that makes up the floor of the ocean is younger than the continents.


What three pieces of evidence for Wegener's theory came from the sea floor?

seafloor spreading, age of the sea floor and ocean trenches.


What are the three types of ocean sediments?

The three types of ocean floor sediments are Terrigenous, Biogenous, and Hydrogenous sediments.


How is pillow lava evidence of sea-floor spreading?

Pillow lava forms when molten lava erupts underwater and cools rapidly, creating characteristic pillow-like structures. This type of lava is commonly found along mid-ocean ridges, which are areas where sea-floor spreading occurs. The presence of pillow lava on the ocean floor is evidence of volcanic activity associated with sea-floor spreading.


How do rocks along central valley of mid ocean ridge provide evidence of sea floor spreading?

because