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It moves away because the magma rises to the surface, and when it hits the water it instantly cools. This rock very slowly pushes the "older" rock to the side. This is called Sea Floor Spreading.

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How does seafoor age and magnetic clues support seafloor spreading?

Seafloor is youngest near the mid-ocean ridges and gets progressively older as you move away from the ridge. Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading, as they show alternating patterns of normal and reversed magnetic polarity that match the Earth's magnetic reversals over time. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading as new oceanic crust is created at the mid-ocean ridge and spreads outward.


When the seafloor spreads apart does hot saltwater move upward and flows from the cracks?

Yes, when the seafloor spreads apart, hot magma rises and creates new crust at mid-ocean ridges. This process can heat up seawater in the cracks, leading to hydrothermal vents where hot, mineral-rich water is ejected into the ocean.


Describe how seafloor spreading helps to explain the continental drift theory?

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is created and spreads outward from the ridge. As the crust spreads, it forces older crust away from the ridge, creating a conveyor belt-like movement of the ocean floor. This process provides evidence for the movement of continents over time, supporting the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.


What is a constructive force caused by the convection in the mantle?

A constructive force caused by convection in the mantle is seafloor spreading. As hot mantle material rises and spreads out at mid-ocean ridges, it creates new oceanic crust, which pushes the older crust aside. This process helps in the formation of new oceanic crust and contributes to the widening of the seafloor.


Think critically The ideas of Hess Wegener and others emphasize that earth is a dynamic planet. How is seafloor spreading different from continental drift?

Seafloor spreading refers to the process where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and spreads outward, pushing the continents apart. Continental drift, on the other hand, is the idea that the continents are slowly moving across the Earth's surface. Seafloor spreading is a mechanism that helps explain how continents drift apart as part of the larger theory of plate tectonics.

Related Questions

What are underwater mountains found at divergent plate boundaries were the seafloor spreads apart?

a underwater mountain


Does seafloor spreading hold the plates in place?

No, seafloor spreading does not hold the plates in place. Seafloor spreading is a process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed and spreads apart. It is driven by the movement of tectonic plates, which are actually responsible for holding the seafloor in place.


What causes paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor?

Paleomagnetic patterns on the seafloor are caused by the movement of tectonic plates. As the seafloor spreads at mid-ocean ridges, molten rock solidifies to form new crust containing minerals aligned with the Earth's magnetic field. Over time, Earth's magnetic field reverses, leaving a record of these changes in the seafloor's magnetic stripes.


How does seafoor age and magnetic clues support seafloor spreading?

Seafloor is youngest near the mid-ocean ridges and gets progressively older as you move away from the ridge. Magnetic stripes on the seafloor provide evidence of seafloor spreading, as they show alternating patterns of normal and reversed magnetic polarity that match the Earth's magnetic reversals over time. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading as new oceanic crust is created at the mid-ocean ridge and spreads outward.


When the seafloor spreads apart does hot saltwater move upward and flows from the cracks?

Yes, when the seafloor spreads apart, hot magma rises and creates new crust at mid-ocean ridges. This process can heat up seawater in the cracks, leading to hydrothermal vents where hot, mineral-rich water is ejected into the ocean.


Describe how seafloor spreading helps to explain the continental drift theory?

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is created and spreads outward from the ridge. As the crust spreads, it forces older crust away from the ridge, creating a conveyor belt-like movement of the ocean floor. This process provides evidence for the movement of continents over time, supporting the theory of continental drift proposed by Alfred Wegener.


Why do magnetic stripes appear on the sea?

The seafloor spreads apart, creating new rocks that record magnetic orientation. Small grains of magnetite on the volcanic basalt (ocean floor) have magnetic properties.


Why do magnetic stripes appear on the seefloor?

The seafloor spreads apart, creating new rocks that record magnetic orientation. Small grains of magnetite on the volcanic basalt (ocean floor) have magnetic properties.


How was Allan Cox contributing to the theory of continental drift?

Cox contributed to continental drift theory by researching and proving that the seafloor spreads and that the Earth has experienced magnetic reversals. He did this by studying the layers of volcanoes and streambeds.


How did new evidence support Hess's theory of seafloor spreading?

Umm Maybe by the way sea floor spreads apart along both sieds of a mid ocean ridge as new crust is added


How a prediction and then evidence of magnetism in rocks on the ocean floor proved that the seafloor spreads?

The Earth's magnetic reversals have been recorded in newly forming oceanic seafloor basalt by the orientation of magnetic minerals which become frozen in place as the magma hardens. When the next reversal occurs, it as well becomes part of the ocean floor magnetic record.


What is a constructive force caused by the convection in the mantle?

A constructive force caused by convection in the mantle is seafloor spreading. As hot mantle material rises and spreads out at mid-ocean ridges, it creates new oceanic crust, which pushes the older crust aside. This process helps in the formation of new oceanic crust and contributes to the widening of the seafloor.