Seafloor Spreading Explained

The motivating force for seafloor spreading ridges is tectonic plate slab pull at subduction zones rather than magma pressure although there is typically.

Seafloor spreading explained.

Mantle convection is the slow churning motion of earth s mantle. The motivating force for seafloor spreading ridges is tectonic plate pull rather than magma pressure although there is typically significant magma activity at spreading ridges. Its discovery provided a mechanism for continental drift that alfred wegener could not explain. Free background music no copyright music brvtvs dead times freebackgroundmusic webs.

When oceanic plates diverge tensional stress causes fractures to occur in the lithosphere. The process begins when the crust is heated from beneath by upwelling in the mantle sometimes called a mantle plume. The mid ocean ridge is the region where new oceanic crust is created. At ridges in the middle of oceans new oceanic crust is created.

The seafloor moves and carries continents with it. 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. Convection currents carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. The formation of the new crust is due to the rising of the molten material magma from the mantle by convection current.

Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. Convection currents also recycle lithospheric materials back to the mantle. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones and spreads out laterally away from them. This video goes over the process of sea floor spreading and the evidence that supports this theory.

The process of sea floor spreading. Seafloor spreading happens at the bottom of an ocean as tectonic plates move apart. Seafloor spreading helps to explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. Seafloor spreading is a constant geologic phenomenon and a primary driver of continental drift.

Seafloor spreading is a part of plate tectonics. Learn more about sea floor spreading and how it works with this demo. This creates a three armed rift called a triple junction usually with each rift at a.