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Molten lava leaks out along the seams between tectonic plates in the earth's crust, at the sea bottom. Because the water is cold, the lava hardens quickly into rock, causing the sea floor to spread in both directions.

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What did the magnetic strips prove in seafloor spreading?

They proved that the seafloor was spreading.


How is seafloor spreading different than continental drift?

Seafloor spreading is the process where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then moves apart, while continental drift refers to the movement of continents on the Earth's surface. Seafloor spreading is one mechanism that helps drive the movement of continents as part of plate tectonics.


How to Diagram the process of seafloor spreading?

A diagram that shows how seafloor spreading works.


Which force is responsible for seafloor spreading?

Gravity in the oceanic crust is responsible for seafloor spreading.


Seafloor spreading begins when?

Seafloor spreading is triggered by a rift in a continental land mass.


What Is the mechanism responsible for producing the new seafloor between two diverging plates?

The mechanism responsible for producing new seafloor between two diverging plates is seafloor spreading. Magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap created by the plates moving apart, solidifies upon contact with seawater, and forms new oceanic crust. This process results in the continuous growth of the ocean floor.


Which observation was not instrumenntal in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading?

The observation of the alternating magnetic stripes on the seafloor was instrumental in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading.


What does seafloor spreading have to do with the theory of continental drift?

Seafloor Spreading helped move the Continents to their current location.


What are the strengths and the weaknesses of the model as the model for demonstrating seafloor spreading?

Strengths of the seafloor spreading model include providing a mechanism for the movement of tectonic plates, explaining the age and magnetic patterns of the ocean floor, and supporting the theory of plate tectonics. Weaknesses include the lack of direct observation of seafloor spreading, the complexity of the processes involved, and the challenge of accurately dating oceanic crust.


What is the difference of seafloor spreading and continental drift?

In continental drift it says that they were drifted apart by the spin of the earth and in seafloor spreading the earths crust is drifted apart by the ridges in the mid-ocean.


What is the mechanism responisble for producing the new oceanic crust between 2 diverging plates?

The mechanism responsible for producing new oceanic crust between two diverging plates is seafloor spreading. Magma rises up from the mantle at mid-ocean ridges, solidifies upon reaching the seafloor, and forms new crust. As the plates move apart, this process continuously adds new material to the ocean floor.


What seafloor is the process by which new crust is created when seafloor moves apart and magma rises?

Seafloor Spreading