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At subduction zones, one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, leading to the recycling of the Earth's crust back into the mantle. This process generates intense geological activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Conversely, mid-ocean ridges are sites of seafloor spreading, where magma rises to create new oceanic crust. The activity at these ridges adds new material to the Earth's surface, balancing the consumption of crust at subduction zones and maintaining the planet's overall tectonic equilibrium.

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Why does oceanic lithosphere sink at subduction but not at mid ocean ridges?

oceanic lithosphere sinks at subduction zones but not at mid ocean ridges because at subduction zones the oceanic lithosphere is subducted, or sinks, under another plate. Oceanic Lithosphere sinks at subduction zones which are usually at convergent boundaries, but at mid-ocean ridges the plates are actually separating not coming together


Why are the continents very young?

mid-ocean ridges and subduction zones


Why does oceanic lithosphere sink at subduction zones but not at mid ocean ridges?

oceanic lithosphere sinks at subduction zones but not at mid ocean ridges because at subduction zones the oceanic lithosphere is subducted, or sinks, under another plate. Oceanic Lithosphere sinks at subduction zones which are usually at convergent boundaries, but at mid-ocean ridges the plates are actually separating not coming together


What are places where oceanic crust sinks back to the mantle?

No. Mid oceanic ridges are the places where new oceanic crust are forming.


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.


How is a hot spot similar from a subduction zone?

Most volcanoes that cannot be ascribed either to a subduction zone or to a seafloor spreading at mid-ocean ridges are attributed to hot spots.


Are there mountains ridges valleys and plains on the ocean floor?

Yes, the ocean floor can have mountain ridges, valleys, and plains. Mountain ridges are formed by tectonic activity, valleys may be created by the movement of tectonic plates, and plains can result from sedimentation and volcanic activity. These features are important in shaping the ocean floor's topography.


What are 3 different types of earthquakes?

(1)mid ocean spreading ridges, (2) subduction zones, and (3) transform faults.


Is the earths lithosphere thicker in the vicinity of ridges or in the vicinity of trenches?

The Earth's lithosphere is generally thicker in the vicinity of trenches than around mid-ocean ridges. At mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity, the lithosphere is relatively thin. Conversely, at subduction zones near trenches, the lithosphere is thicker due to the presence of older, denser oceanic crust being forced down into the mantle.


Describe why the age of ocean floor is younger near mid-ocean ridges and older near continental boundaries?

The age of the ocean floor is younger near mid-ocean ridges because this is where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity as tectonic plates pull apart. As magma rises and solidifies at these ridges, it creates new seafloor. In contrast, the ocean floor becomes older as it moves away from the ridges towards continental boundaries, where it can eventually be subducted into the mantle or collide with continental plates, recycling older crust. This process of seafloor spreading and subduction explains the age gradient observed in oceanic crust.


Are new continental crust formed at the mid Ocean Ridges?

Yes, new continental crust is not formed at mid-ocean ridges; instead, these ridges are primarily sites for the formation of new oceanic crust. At mid-ocean ridges, tectonic plates diverge, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and solidify, creating new oceanic crust. Continental crust is formed through different geological processes, such as subduction and continental collision, which occur away from mid-ocean ridges.


What is the process of the ocean floor sinking beneath a deep ocean trench and back into the mantle known as?

The process of the ocean floor sinking beneath a deep ocean trench and back into the mantle is known as subduction. This occurs at convergent plate boundaries where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another due to differences in density. Subduction zones are associated with volcanic activity and the formation of mountain ranges.