Seafloor Spreading

Front

What is seafloor spreading?

Back

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates move apart.

Front

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide?

Back

Convergent boundary.

Front

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other?

Back

Transform boundary.

Front

What type of boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move apart?

Back

Divergent boundary.

Front

What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?

Back

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent boundary between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, where seafloor spreading occurs.

Front

What evidence supports the theory of seafloor spreading?

Back

Rocks are older the farther they are from the center of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

Front

What is magnetic reversal?

Back

Magnetic reversal is when Earth's magnetic field changes direction, affecting the orientation of magnetic minerals in newly formed rocks.

Front

What is normal polarity?

Back

Normal polarity is when Earth's magnetic field is oriented in the same direction as the current magnetic field.

Front

What is reversed polarity?

Back

Reversed polarity is when Earth's magnetic field is oriented in the opposite direction to the current magnetic field.

Front

What happens at a divergent boundary?

Back

At a divergent boundary, tectonic plates move apart, leading to the formation of new crust.