Seafloor Spreading Definition Earth Science

The neovolcanic zone is at the very axis.

Seafloor spreading definition earth science. 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. Mantle convection is the slow churning motion of earth s mantle. 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. Let s explore another idea called seafloor spreading.

Sea floor spreading synonyms sea floor spreading pronunciation sea floor spreading translation english dictionary definition of sea floor spreading. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones and spreads out laterally away from them. 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. Purchase this seafloor spreading activity at teachers pay teachers for 1 50 cents.

Adjacent to the neovolcanic zone is one marked by fissures in the seafloor. In this section we are going to take alfred wegener s thoughts a little further. Seafloor spreading is the mechanism for wegener s drifting continents. Spreading centres are divided into several geologic zones.

Click here if you are a student at snowflake heber or holbrook to access the susd5 student version of seafloor spreading assignment. Convection currents within the mantle take the continents on a conveyor belt ride of oceanic crust that over millions of years takes them around the planet s surface. Convection currents carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. The mid ocean ridge is where the seafloor spreading occurs in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart.

It is 1 to 2 km 0 6 to 1 2 miles wide and is the site of recent and active volcanism and of the hydrothermal vents it is marked by chains of small volcanoes or volcanic ridges.