Seafloor Spreading Definition Earth Science

Spreading centres are divided into several geologic zones.

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. 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 is the mechanism for wegener s drifting continents.

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 also recycle lithospheric materials back to the mantle. The neovolcanic zone is at the very axis. Click here if you are a student at snowflake heber or holbrook to access the susd5 student version of seafloor spreading assignment.

Convection currents carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. Sea floor spreading synonyms sea floor spreading pronunciation sea floor spreading translation english dictionary definition of sea floor spreading. Purchase this seafloor spreading activity at teachers pay teachers for 1 50 cents.

Let s explore another idea called seafloor spreading. 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. In this section we are going to take alfred wegener s thoughts a little further. The mid ocean ridge is where the seafloor spreading occurs in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart.

Adjacent to the neovolcanic zone is one marked by fissures in the seafloor.