Podcast
Questions and Answers
What geological feature would be revealed if all water was removed from the ocean basins?
What geological feature would be revealed if all water was removed from the ocean basins?
- Scattered, isolated seamounts and volcanic islands across the ocean floor.
- A vast, flat abyssal plain covering the majority of the ocean floor.
- A system of deep trenches marking the boundaries of tectonic plates.
- A continuous mountain chain known as the oceanic ridge system. (correct)
Which process is primarily responsible for the constant reshaping of ocean basins?
Which process is primarily responsible for the constant reshaping of ocean basins?
- Accumulation of sediments from continental landmasses.
- Erosion caused by strong ocean currents and tides.
- Tectonic activity involving the movement of lithospheric plates. (correct)
- Weathering of underwater rock formations by seawater chemistry.
The lithosphere, which is fractured into tectonic plates, is composed of which two layers of the Earth?
The lithosphere, which is fractured into tectonic plates, is composed of which two layers of the Earth?
- The entire mantle and the outer core.
- Only the Earth's crust.
- The crust and the upper part of the mantle. (correct)
- The asthenosphere and the lower mantle.
How does the movement of tectonic plates contribute to the formation of oceanic ridges?
How does the movement of tectonic plates contribute to the formation of oceanic ridges?
What is the primary process that occurs when magma erupts at the oceanic ridge system?
What is the primary process that occurs when magma erupts at the oceanic ridge system?
The formation of oceanic ridges, as described, is most similar to which everyday occurrence?
The formation of oceanic ridges, as described, is most similar to which everyday occurrence?
What is the primary component that builds up to form oceanic ridges?
What is the primary component that builds up to form oceanic ridges?
The oceanic ridge system is distinguished from other mountain ranges on Earth primarily by its:
The oceanic ridge system is distinguished from other mountain ranges on Earth primarily by its:
In which ocean is the oceanic ridge system described as running down the center?
In which ocean is the oceanic ridge system described as running down the center?
Besides the Atlantic Ocean, where else is the oceanic ridge system found according to the text?
Besides the Atlantic Ocean, where else is the oceanic ridge system found according to the text?
Flashcards
Oceanic Ridge System
Oceanic Ridge System
A continuous mountain chain found under the ocean's surface, formed by tectonic plate activity.
Tectonic Activity
Tectonic Activity
The deformation of the Earth's crust caused by the movement of tectonic plates.
Lithosphere
Lithosphere
The outermost shell of the Earth, composed of the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle.
Asthenosphere
Asthenosphere
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Magma
Magma
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Oceanic Ridge
Oceanic Ridge
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Seafloor Spreading
Seafloor Spreading
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Lithospheric Plates
Lithospheric Plates
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Study Notes
Oceanic Ridge System
- The oceanic ridge system is a continuous mountain chain under the ocean floor.
- It stretches through all the major oceans.
- The ridges are formed by tectonic activity.
Tectonic Activity
- The earth's crust is fractured into tectonic plates.
- These plates float on the asthenosphere (a semi-solid layer).
- When plates move apart, magma rises from the asthenosphere.
- This magma cools and hardens, forming new crust.
Formation of the Oceanic Ridge System
- Magma rising from gaps between separating plates creates underwater volcanoes.
- The volcanoes erupt into ocean water, cooling and solidifying magma.
- This solidified magma creates new layers of oceanic crust.
- This process repeats and builds the oceanic ridge.
- The process is analogous to a wound healing, with the magma akin to blood and the ridge akin to a raised scab.
Distribution of the Oceanic Ridge System
- The system is globally distributed, encompassing all oceans.
- It makes the longest mountain range on Earth, about 50,000 miles long.
- In the Atlantic Ocean, it runs approximately along its center.
- In other oceans, its path sometimes deviates from the center and nearer to landmasses.
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