Seafloor Spreading Definition Earth Science

Convection currents also recycle lithospheric materials back to the mantle.

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. Let s explore another idea called seafloor spreading. The mid ocean ridge is where the seafloor spreading occurs in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart. Sea floor spreading synonyms sea floor spreading pronunciation sea floor spreading translation english dictionary definition of sea floor spreading.

In this section we are going to take alfred wegener s thoughts a little further. The neovolcanic zone is at the very axis. Purchase this seafloor spreading activity at teachers pay teachers for 1 50 cents. 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.

Seafloor spreading is the mechanism for wegener s drifting continents. 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. Convection currents carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. 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.

Spreading centres are divided into several geologic zones. Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. 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.

Mantle convection is the slow churning motion of earth s mantle.