Sea Floor Spreading Earth Science Definition

Seafloor spreading is a process that occurs at mid ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity and then gradually moves away from the ridge.

Sea floor spreading earth science definition. Seafloor spreading definition a process in which new ocean floor is created as molten material from the earth s mantle rises in margins between plates or ridges and spreads out. The solid surface underlying a sea or an ocean. Evidence in the rocks not long after hess published his ideas other scientists published their measurements of the magnetic properties of atlantic ocean seafloor basalt or the. Geological science a series of processes in which new oceanic lithosphere is created at oceanic ridges spreads away from the ridges and returns to the earth s interior along subduction zones.