Mid-Ocean ridges.
The age of rocks gets progressively younger as you move away from the mid-ocean ridges, where seafloor spreading occurs. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading, as new crust is being formed at the ridges and then moves away from them over time. This process leaves a record of older rocks further from the ridges and younger rocks closer to them.
Typical rates of spreading average around 5 centimeter (2 inches) per year.
The ages of the rocks become older the farther the way they are from the ridges. The closer they are the younger it is. This leaves evidence to the seafloor spreading theory.
Oceanic currents themselves do not directly cause seafloor spreading. Seafloor spreading is primarily driven by tectonic forces, specifically the movement of tectonic plates away from each other at mid-ocean ridges. This movement leads to the upwelling of magma from the mantle, creating new oceanic crust at the spreading center. Ocean currents can affect the distribution of heat and nutrients in the ocean, but they do not play a direct role in the process of seafloor spreading.
Magnetism is used to support the theory of seafloor spreading through the study of magnetic stripes on the seafloor. These stripes are aligned with the Earth's magnetic field and provide evidence for the process of seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges. As the crust cools and solidifies, the magnetic minerals in the rocks align with the Earth's magnetic field, creating a record of magnetic reversals over time that support the theory of seafloor spreading.
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.
Mid-oceanic ridges
They proved that the seafloor was spreading.
A diagram that shows how seafloor spreading works.
Gravity in the oceanic crust is responsible for seafloor spreading.
Seafloor spreading is triggered by a rift in a continental land mass.
One example would be...the mid-atlantic ridge.
Seafloor spreading
One example would be...the mid-atlantic ridge.
The observation of the alternating magnetic stripes on the seafloor was instrumental in formulating the hypothesis of seafloor spreading.
Seafloor Spreading helped move the Continents to their current location.
2. Mid Ocean Ridges are the place where new crust is formed. 1. oceanic plates or oceanic crust