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Questions and Answers
Which observation from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) provided evidence supporting the theory of seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
Which observation from the Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) provided evidence supporting the theory of seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
- The age of the oceanic crust increased with distance from the ridge crest. (correct)
- The composition of the oceanic crust was uniform across the Atlantic Ocean basin.
- The depth of the ocean increased closer to the ridge crest.
- The thickness of the sediment layers decreased with distance from the ridge crest.
The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) utilized a ship called the Glomar Challenger to:
The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) utilized a ship called the Glomar Challenger to:
- Map the topography of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge using sonar technology.
- Drill core samples from the ocean floor to analyze sediments and oceanic crust. (correct)
- Deploy underwater cameras to observe marine life near tectonic plate boundaries.
- Measure the temperature and salinity of the ocean at various depths.
According to the theory of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading, what is the primary mechanism driving the creation of new oceanic crust at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
According to the theory of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading, what is the primary mechanism driving the creation of new oceanic crust at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
- Upwelling of magma through diverging tectonic plates. (correct)
- Subduction of one tectonic plate beneath another.
- Erosion of the existing oceanic crust by strong ocean currents.
- Accumulation of sediments from continental landmasses.
Imagine scientists discover a new underwater mountain range. Based on the evidence that supported seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which of the following findings would suggest that this new ridge is also a site of active seafloor spreading?
Imagine scientists discover a new underwater mountain range. Based on the evidence that supported seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which of the following findings would suggest that this new ridge is also a site of active seafloor spreading?
Before the Deep Sea Drilling Project, the theory of seafloor spreading was met with skepticism. What was the primary reason for this skepticism among the scientific community?
Before the Deep Sea Drilling Project, the theory of seafloor spreading was met with skepticism. What was the primary reason for this skepticism among the scientific community?
Flashcards
Plate Tectonics
Plate Tectonics
The theory that the Earth's crust is divided into moving plates.
Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)
Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)
An ocean drilling project from the 1960s to analyze the ocean floor.
Glomar Challenger
Glomar Challenger
The research vessel used in the Deep Sea Drilling Project.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Mid-Atlantic Ridge
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Seafloor Spreading
Seafloor Spreading
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Study Notes
- Plate tectonics is the theory that the Earth's crust is broken into plates that float on a fluid layer below.
- As tectonic plates move, they can push together, pull apart, or slide past each other.
Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP)
- DSDP was an ocean drilling project from the 1960s designed to analyze the ocean floor.
- The project involved drilling into the ocean floor to extract samples of sediments and oceanic crust.
- The Glomar Challenger, a research vessel with a drilling platform, was used to collect core samples from the Atlantic Ocean floor.
- The vessel drilled core samples into the sea floor along the way.
Mid-Atlantic Ridge and Seafloor Spreading
- The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range from Iceland to Antarctica, is in the Atlantic Ocean basin.
- Seafloor spreading theorizes that new oceanic crust forms constantly due to magma upwelling through diverging tectonic plates.
- The scientific community was initially skeptical that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was a tectonic plate boundary causing the separation and upwelling of magma.
- The magma then cooled and created new layers of oceanic crust that spread out from the area.
Ocean Drilling Samples
- Samples from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge showed that rocks near the ridge's crest were young, while those farther away were older.
- Sediment layers were thin near the ridge crest and increased in thickness with distance from the crest.
- This supports the seafloor spreading theory, indicating new oceanic crust forms at the plate boundary and spreads laterally.
- This evidence gives credence to the plate tectonics theory, suggesting the Earth's crust consists of moving tectonic plates.
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Description
The Earth's crust is broken into plates that float on a fluid layer. Tectonic plates move and interact, pushing, pulling, or sliding. The Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) analyzed the ocean floor, supporting seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
