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The banding pattern of rocks on either side of mid-ocean ridges shows alternating magnetic reversals, which are recorded in the oceanic crust as new magma solidifies. This symmetrical pattern indicates that new crust is being formed at the ridge and pushed outward, supporting the theory of seafloor spreading. Additionally, dating these rocks reveals that the youngest rock is located closest to the ridge, while older rocks are found further away, further corroborating the continuous formation and movement of the oceanic crust. Together, these observations provide strong evidence for the dynamic processes of seafloor spreading.

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Which statement provides evidence that the seafloor is spreading out from both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The presence of alternating magnetic stripes on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provides evidence that the seafloor is spreading out. As magma solidifies to form new oceanic crust, it records the Earth's magnetic field. These magnetic stripes mirror each other on either side of the ridge, indicating a symmetric pattern of seafloor spreading.


What is the reverse polarity in seafloor spreading?

Reverse polarity in seafloor spreading refers to the phenomenon where the Earth's magnetic field flips, causing the magnetic orientation of newly formed oceanic crust to be opposite to the current magnetic field. As magma rises at mid-ocean ridges and solidifies, it records the Earth's magnetic field direction at that time. Periodically, these reversals are captured in the rock layers, creating a pattern of magnetic stripes on either side of the ridge. This pattern provides evidence for seafloor spreading and helps to date the age of the oceanic crust.


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

The new evidence provided observations of magnetic anomalies on the seafloor that were consistent with the pattern predicted by Hess's theory of seafloor spreading. These anomalies demonstrated symmetrical stripes of magnetic polarity on either side of mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea that new oceanic crust was forming at these ridges and moving away in opposite directions.


How did the seafloor spreading help prove the continental drift?

Seafloor spreading provided evidence for continental drift by showing that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, pushing older crust away. This process helped explain how continents could move and supported the idea of plate tectonics. The pattern of magnetic stripes on the seafloor also matched with predictions based on the movement of continents, further supporting the theory of continental drift.


How does the age of rock support seafloor spreading?

The age of rocks on the ocean floor provides strong evidence for seafloor spreading by showing a pattern of increasing age as one moves away from mid-ocean ridges. Youngest rocks are found closest to the ridges, where new crust is formed by volcanic activity, while older rocks are located further away, indicating that they have been pushed outward over time. This age distribution supports the idea that new oceanic crust is continuously generated at the ridges and that the seafloor is expanding. Thus, the age of the rocks aligns with the process of seafloor spreading, confirming the theory.

Related Questions

How do the ages of the rocks on the seafloor support the theory of seafloor spreading?

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.


How does evidence that seafloor rocks farther from ridge are older than rocks closer to the ridge support the idea of seafloor spreading?

The evidence that seafloor rocks farther from the mid-ocean ridge are older than those closer to it supports the idea of seafloor spreading by demonstrating that new oceanic crust is created at the ridge and gradually moves outward. As magma rises and solidifies at the ridge, it forms new rock, which pushes the existing rocks away from the ridge over time. This pattern of age distribution aligns with the theory that the ocean floor is continuously being formed and expanded, confirming the dynamic nature of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading.


How are ocean-floor rocks and sediments evidence of seafloor spreading?

Ocean-floor rocks near mid-ocean ridges show a symmetrical pattern of magnetized stripes parallel to the ridge axis. These stripes result from periodic reversals in Earth's magnetic field and provide evidence of seafloor spreading. Sediments on the ocean floor also show younger ages near the ridges, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading.


Which statement provides evidence that the seafloor is spreading out from both sides of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

The presence of alternating magnetic stripes on either side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge provides evidence that the seafloor is spreading out. As magma solidifies to form new oceanic crust, it records the Earth's magnetic field. These magnetic stripes mirror each other on either side of the ridge, indicating a symmetric pattern of seafloor spreading.


What is the reverse polarity in seafloor spreading?

Reverse polarity in seafloor spreading refers to the phenomenon where the Earth's magnetic field flips, causing the magnetic orientation of newly formed oceanic crust to be opposite to the current magnetic field. As magma rises at mid-ocean ridges and solidifies, it records the Earth's magnetic field direction at that time. Periodically, these reversals are captured in the rock layers, creating a pattern of magnetic stripes on either side of the ridge. This pattern provides evidence for seafloor spreading and helps to date the age of the oceanic crust.


Give two pieces of evidence for seafloor spreading?

Paleomagnetic stripes on either side of mid-ocean ridges demonstrate the symmetric pattern of magnetic reversals found in oceanic crust, supporting the idea of seafloor spreading. Age dating of oceanic crust samples reveals that the further away from mid-ocean ridges, the older the crust gets, providing direct evidence for the continuous creation of new seafloor at spreading centers.


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

The new evidence provided observations of magnetic anomalies on the seafloor that were consistent with the pattern predicted by Hess's theory of seafloor spreading. These anomalies demonstrated symmetrical stripes of magnetic polarity on either side of mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea that new oceanic crust was forming at these ridges and moving away in opposite directions.


Explain how ocean-floor rocks and sediments are evidence of seafloor spreading?

Ocean-floor rocks and sediments show a pattern of symmetric age distribution, with younger rocks near mid-ocean ridges and older rocks farther away. This supports the theory of seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and spreads away from them. As the crust moves, it picks up and records the magnetic signature of Earth's magnetic field, creating alternating magnetic stripes that are evidence of seafloor spreading.


How did the seafloor spreading help prove the continental drift?

Seafloor spreading provided evidence for continental drift by showing that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, pushing older crust away. This process helped explain how continents could move and supported the idea of plate tectonics. The pattern of magnetic stripes on the seafloor also matched with predictions based on the movement of continents, further supporting the theory of continental drift.


How do magnetic bands provide evidence that tectonic plates are moving apart at mid-oceanic ridges?

Through seafloor-spreading as iron rich minerals cool they become magnetized in the direction parallel to the existing magnetic field. As the magnetic fields change direction so will the magnetized minerals, allowing scientists to record each change in the seafloor as it spreads.


How does the age of rock support seafloor spreading?

The age of rocks on the ocean floor provides strong evidence for seafloor spreading by showing a pattern of increasing age as one moves away from mid-ocean ridges. Youngest rocks are found closest to the ridges, where new crust is formed by volcanic activity, while older rocks are located further away, indicating that they have been pushed outward over time. This age distribution supports the idea that new oceanic crust is continuously generated at the ridges and that the seafloor is expanding. Thus, the age of the rocks aligns with the process of seafloor spreading, confirming the theory.


How does the banding pattern of rocks and the dating of these rocks give evidence of sea floor spreading?

The banding pattern of rocks on either side of mid-ocean ridges shows symmetrical stripes of magnetic reversals, indicating that new crust is formed at the ridge and then moves outward as tectonic plates diverge. This magnetic pattern correlates with the age of the rocks, with younger rocks found closer to the ridge and older rocks further away. The consistent dating of these rocks supports the theory of sea floor spreading, demonstrating that new oceanic crust is continuously generated while older crust is pushed away. Together, these patterns provide strong evidence for the dynamic processes of plate tectonics and sea floor spreading.