Sorry for this late response,but basically, as the plates move farther away from the mid-ocean ridges, the older it gets..! Hope this helps! ^^
igneous rock
The mid-ocean ridges are made almost entirely of basalt, because this is where new oceanic lithosphere is being formed. In fact, oceanic plates in there entirety are made up almost entirely of basalt.(igneous rock)
The plutonic igneous rock that forms beneath mid-ocean ridges is primarily gabbro. Gabbro is a coarse-grained rock that crystallizes from magma that cools slowly beneath the Earth's surface, typically associated with the upwelling of magma at mid-ocean ridges. This process contributes to the formation of new oceanic crust as tectonic plates diverge.
Molten rock at mid-ocean ridges consists of basaltic magma, which is rich in silica, iron, and magnesium. It also contains gases such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. As the magma rises to the surface, it solidifies to form new oceanic crust.
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.
Age of seafloor rock and sediment increases with distance from the oceanic ridges.
makes new rock
igneous rock
The distance and rate at which they are growing from "mid-ocean ridges" from which molten rock (magma) rises from the Earth's mantle. Younger rock is closest to these ridges while older rock is further. The old rock will eventually be recycled into the mantle via a process known as "subduction", marked by trenches in the ocean floor. - source: Essentials of Geology 3rd Edition (Marshak, 42)
Gravity
Sea- Floor Spreading molten material erupts through the valley that runs along the center of some mid-ocean ridges. This material hardens to form the rock of the ocean floor. Mid-ocean ridges an undersea mountain chain where new ocean floor is produced.
Magnetic striping: Patterns of alternating magnetic polarity in the rock of the ocean floor provide evidence of the seafloor moving away from mid-ocean ridges. Age of the oceanic crust: Younger rocks are found nearer to mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea of continuous seafloor creation. Ocean drilling samples: Rock samples from the ocean floor show consistent patterns of increasing age with distance from mid-ocean ridges, supporting the theory of seafloor spreading.
Igneous rock could appear anywhere on Earth.
The color of the rock that forms oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges is dark gray to black. The rock is primarily basalt, which is a type of igneous rock formed from the solidification of molten lava.
The mid-ocean ridges are made almost entirely of basalt, because this is where new oceanic lithosphere is being formed. In fact, oceanic plates in there entirety are made up almost entirely of basalt.(igneous rock)
Yes, ocean ridges are divergent plate boundaries where tectonic plates move away from each other. As the plates separate, molten rock rises from the mantle and solidifies to form new oceanic crust, creating the underwater mountain range characteristic of ocean ridges.
oldest at the bottom youngest on top. Its the law of superposition. They also found that the age of rocks increases with increased distance from mid-ocean-ridges.