Seafloor Spreading Define

Seafloor spreading is the mechanism by which new seafloor lithosphere is constantly being created at mid ocean ridges.

Seafloor spreading define. 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. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process where there is a gradual addition of new oceanic crust in the ocean floor through a volcanic activity while moving the older rocks away from the mid oceanic ridge. Seafloor spreading definition is the divergence at mid ocean ridges of the tectonic plates underlying the oceans that is due to upwelling from the earth s interior of magma which solidifies and adds to the spreading plates. Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection.

This idea played a pivotal role in the development of the theory of plate tectonics which revolutionized geologic thought during the last quarter of the 20th century. 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. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process in which tectonic plate s large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart from each other.