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Subduction zones or trenches.

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Where does Cooler older oceanic lithosphere sink?

Cooler and older oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at subduction zones, where it descends beneath the overriding tectonic plate. This process occurs due to the higher density of the cold lithosphere compared to the underlying mantle, leading to its subduction and recycling back into the Earth's interior.


Does the oceanic lithosphere get older or younger?

Oceanic lithosphere gets older as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridges where new lithosphere is formed. This process, known as seafloor spreading, causes older lithosphere to be pushed further from the ridge, resulting in a gradient of lithosphere age with the oldest being farthest from the ridges.


What is the process by which new oceanic lithosphere is created as older materials are pulled away?

This process is called seafloor spreading. It occurs at mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise from the mantle and solidify as new oceanic lithosphere. As the plates continue to separate, the new lithosphere gets pushed away from the ridge, creating a continuous cycle of formation and movement.


Where are oceanic crust and lithosphere formed?

Oceanic crust and lithosphere are formed at mid-ocean ridges through the process of seafloor spreading. Magma rises from the mantle and solidifies to create new oceanic crust at these divergent plate boundaries. As the new crust forms, it pushes the older crust away from the ridge axis, creating a continuous process of crust formation and movement.


Where is the oceanic crust sinking into mantle?

Usually when it meets another tectonic plate at a convergent plate boundary. If the oceanic plate converges with a continental plate the denser oceanic plate will be forced under the continental plate. If it converges with another oceanic plate the older (and therefore cooler and denser) plate will be forced under the younger plate.

Related Questions

Where does Cooler older oceanic lithosphere sink?

Cooler and older oceanic lithosphere sinks into the mantle at subduction zones, where it descends beneath the overriding tectonic plate. This process occurs due to the higher density of the cold lithosphere compared to the underlying mantle, leading to its subduction and recycling back into the Earth's interior.


Does the oceanic lithosphere get older or younger?

Oceanic lithosphere gets older as it moves away from the mid-ocean ridges where new lithosphere is formed. This process, known as seafloor spreading, causes older lithosphere to be pushed further from the ridge, resulting in a gradient of lithosphere age with the oldest being farthest from the ridges.


Why must the production and destruction of the lithosphere be going on at the same rate?

New lithosphere is constantly being produced at the oceanic ridges. Lithosphere is consumed at the subduction zones. A balance is maintained because older, denser proportions of oceanic lithosphere descend into the mantle at a rate equal to seafloor production.


What cause seafloor spreading?

valconoes!


Is the earths lithosphere thicker in the vicinity of ridges or in the vicinity of trenches?

The Earth's lithosphere is generally thicker in the vicinity of trenches than around mid-ocean ridges. At mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity, the lithosphere is relatively thin. Conversely, at subduction zones near trenches, the lithosphere is thicker due to the presence of older, denser oceanic crust being forced down into the mantle.


Does oceanic lithosphere get older or younger as you move closer to mid-ocean range?

Younger


What is the process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms at mid-ocan ridges called?

The process by which new oceanic lithosphere forms at mid-ocean ridges is called seafloor spreading. During this process, tectonic plates diverge, and magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap, solidifying to create new oceanic crust. This continuous formation of new lithosphere occurs as older crust is pushed away from the ridge, contributing to the dynamic nature of Earth's tectonic activity.


When oceanic lithosphere subducts beneath oceanic lithosphere?

The older, denser oceanic lithosphere will subduct beneath the younger, less dense oceanic lithosphere. This process can lead to the formation of deep ocean trenches, volcanic island arcs, and earthquakes. The descending plate may partially melt, contributing to the formation of magma that can erupt as volcanoes.


What is the process by which new oceanic lithosphere is created as older materials are pulled away?

This process is called seafloor spreading. It occurs at mid-ocean ridges where tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise from the mantle and solidify as new oceanic lithosphere. As the plates continue to separate, the new lithosphere gets pushed away from the ridge, creating a continuous cycle of formation and movement.


Where are oceanic crust and lithosphere formed?

Oceanic crust and lithosphere are formed at mid-ocean ridges through the process of seafloor spreading. Magma rises from the mantle and solidifies to create new oceanic crust at these divergent plate boundaries. As the new crust forms, it pushes the older crust away from the ridge axis, creating a continuous process of crust formation and movement.


What happens to old oceanic crust as new molten material from the mantle?

The older oceanic crust moves away from the spreading center and is eventualy subducted back into the mantle.


What happens to old oceanic crust as molten materials rises from the mantle?

The older oceanic crust moves away from the spreading center and is eventualy subducted back into the mantle.