Define Seafloor Spreading Theory

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Define seafloor spreading theory. That is the time it takes for new rock to form at the mid ocean ridge move atoss the ocean and sink into a trench. Its discovery provided a mechanism for continental drift that alfred wegener could not explain. That means the rock in the center is the youngest. Because of these processes the ocean floor is renewed about every 200 million years.

Define seafloor spreading theory as the continents move apart whole new oceans. Wherever the sea floor is spreading the edges move apart while the magma in the middle hardens. Diagram of seafloor spreading antarctic sector. 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.

Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. Mantle convection is the slow churn ing motion of earth s mantle. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones known collectively as the mid ocean ridge system and spreads out laterally away from them. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process in which tectonic plate s large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart from each other.

Seafloor spreading theory synonyms seafloor spreading theory pronunciation seafloor spreading theory translation english dictionary definition of seafloor spreading theory. N 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. Definition of seafloor spreading. 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.

Seafloor spreading is a part of plate tectonics. As the continents move apart whole new oceans. A process in which new ocean floor is created as molten material from the earths mantle rises in margins between plates or ridges and spreads out.