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The mid-ocean ridge is a continuous mountain range formed from the uplift of thin crustal rocks from rising magma due to decompression melting of mantle material at divergent plate boundaries.
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Yes, that is how they are formed. They are high because, immediately below the ridge, the lithospheric mantle is almost nonexistent due to the heat of the rising mantle from the asthenosphere. The lack of cool mantle means that the relatively thin crust is the only thing "floating" on the mantle, and it is not very dense. As the lithosphere spreads (due to ridge-push force), the mantle below the lithosphere crust begins to cool and when it cools sufficiently it becomes, by definition, lithospheric mantle. This mantle is dense and grows thicker as the plate spreads further from the ridge and has more time to cool. The density of this, and the increased mass, is relatively higher than what is essentially only the crust at the ridge. Because it is more dense and "heavier," it sinks down further into the asthenosphere, causing the ridge itself to be high on the sea floor.
What else can I help you with?
Places where new sea floor is being created?
New oceanic crust is formed when volcanic activity disrupts the seafloor at the mid- ocean ridge. When this occurs it is referred to as oceanic spreading.
Why does oceanic crust get older as you get closer to continents?
The basalts of the ocean floors are created at the mid-ocean ridges and moves away from these ridges as new crust is created. thus as sea floor spreading occurs the older rock gets pushed away from the ridge towards the continents and the younger rock comes up beside the ridge. good example is the Atlantic ocean
Are oceanic rocks billion years old?
No. Oceanic crust is recycled into the mantle through a process called subduction and new ocean floor is formed at mid-ocean ridges. None of the ocean floor is more than about 180 million years old. Some rocks on the continents are billions of years old.
What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?
Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.
Characteristics of oceanic and continental crusts?
Oceanic crust is thinner, denser, and primarily composed of basaltic rock, while continental crust is thicker, less dense, and mainly consists of granitic rock. Oceanic crust is younger and continuously forming at mid-ocean ridges, whereas continental crust is older and more stable. Oceanic crust is also denser because it is made from more mafic, iron and magnesium-rich rocks.
Places where new sea floor is being created?
New oceanic crust is formed when volcanic activity disrupts the seafloor at the mid- ocean ridge. When this occurs it is referred to as oceanic spreading.
Subduction occurs where the oceanic crust bends down toward the mantle at a(n)?
Seafloor spreading occurs along mid-ocean ridges. Mid-ocean ridges are large mountain ranges on the ocean floor. The shifting in the rock causes the seafloor to spread and allows magma to bubble and form more mountains on the ocean floor.
What evidence supports the theory of plate?
The shape of the continents, the distribution of earthquakes, the symmetric magnetic banding of the sea floor ether side of the mid oceanic ridges, the mid oceanic ridges, back arc basins, deep sea trenches, the fiery ring of the Pacific, The distribution and chemistry of volcanoes, atolls, paleo magnetism, fossil evidence and the distribution of species. (there may be more evidence).
What evidence supports the theory of plate tectonics?
The shape of the continents, the distribution of earthquakes, the symmetric magnetic banding of the sea floor ether side of the mid oceanic ridges, the mid oceanic ridges, back arc basins, deep sea trenches, the fiery ring of the Pacific, The distribution and chemistry of volcanoes, atolls, paleo magnetism, fossil evidence and the distribution of species. (there may be more evidence).
Is the oceanic lithosphere thick and brittle?
Yes, the oceanic lithosphere is relatively thinner and more brittle compared to the continental lithosphere. This is due to the cooling and solidifying processes that occur at mid-ocean ridges, which result in a thinner and more rigid lithosphere in oceanic regions.
Why continental rock is younger than oceanic rock?
The Oceanic Plates are younger than the continental because they are "recycled"; think of the oceanic ridges, such as the mid Atlantic oceanic ridge, that is where a hot spot under diverging plates (plates moving apart) push magma up, causing new young ocean floor to spread from this spot, and pushing the old floor into trenches and other continents, being destroyed. Another point to remember is that the ocean crust is thicker the farther away from the ridge; this is because it has had more time to build itself up compared to the more thin young crust.
Why does oceanic crust get older as you get closer to continents?
The basalts of the ocean floors are created at the mid-ocean ridges and moves away from these ridges as new crust is created. thus as sea floor spreading occurs the older rock gets pushed away from the ridge towards the continents and the younger rock comes up beside the ridge. good example is the Atlantic ocean
Why does my cat choose to sleep on the floor instead of their bed or other elevated surfaces?
Cats may choose to sleep on the floor instead of their bed or elevated surfaces because they prefer cooler temperatures, feel more secure being closer to the ground, or simply find the floor more comfortable.
Are oceanic rocks billion years old?
No. Oceanic crust is recycled into the mantle through a process called subduction and new ocean floor is formed at mid-ocean ridges. None of the ocean floor is more than about 180 million years old. Some rocks on the continents are billions of years old.
What type of magmatic activity is characteristic of mid oceanic ridges?
At mid-oceanic ridges, plates are pulled apart in two separate directions. This creates a gap (rift valley), allowing for warm, buoyant magma to rise to the surface and cool. As the magma cools, it creates ridges along the rift valleys. The elevation is caused by the excess amount of newly created, less dense oceanic crust. This crust occupies more volume, which causes it to be higher up than the surrounding, older crust.
What is the difference between continential and oceanic crust?
Continental crust is thicker, less dense, and typically older than oceanic crust. Oceanic crust is thinner, more dense, and younger as it is constantly being formed at mid-ocean ridges and being recycled at subduction zones.
What are four differences between the oceanic crust and the continental crust?
1. The Oceanic crust is dense while the Continental crust is relatively lighter. 2. The Oceanic crust consists of Silicon and Magnessium, while the Continental crust has Silicon and Alluminium. 3. The Oceanic crust is thin, while the Continental crust is thick. 4. The Oceanic crust makes up the ocean floor, while the Continental crust carries the continents.
