Explain how the ages of the rocks on the ocean floor support the theory of seafloor spreading?

Answer 1

Sea floor spreading, a theory thought up by Harry Hess in the late 1950s, was drawn up in relation to the differing ages of rocks which make up oceanic crust (ie the ocean floor).

The ages of rock on the ocean floor support this theory because of the fact that the youngest rocks are found at the mid-oceanic ridges, where constructive plate margins are found. The oldest rocks are found at the fringes of the ocean-continent boundary. This supports the idea because it shows that when magma rises and cools at the boundary, and creates new rock. This rock is then fed in a conveyor belt-like method to the edges of the oceans, where they are then subducted under continental crust as a part of destructive plate margins. This means th oldest rock is found at these boundaries.

Hope this helps :)

Answer 2

The ages of rocks on the ocean floor show a symmetrical pattern of increasing age away from mid-ocean ridges, supporting the theory of seafloor spreading. This provides evidence that new crust is continually formed at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward, pushing older rocks to the sides and creating a record of Earth's changing magnetic field over time. This supports the idea of plate tectonics and the movement of Earth's lithosphere.