Questions and Answers
What is the definition of Mid-Ocean Ridge?
What is the purpose of a Sonar?
A device that determines the distance of an object underwater by recording echoes of sound waves.
What is Seafloor Spreading?
The process by which molten materials add new oceanic crust to the ocean floor.
What is a Deep Ocean Trench?
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What is subduction?
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When were the ocean floors mapped and what was the tool used?
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Who proposed the Seafloor Spreading theory and when?
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What are the steps in the process of Seafloor Spreading?
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What is the evidence for Seafloor Spreading?
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What happens at deep ocean trenches?
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Describe a Mid-Ocean Ridge.
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Describe the process of Seafloor Spreading.
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What happens to old oceanic crust as new molten material rises from the mantle?
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What are three types of evidence found to support the idea of the ocean floor spreading away from the ridge?
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Why does subduction occur?
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Study Notes
Seafloor Spreading Key Concepts
- Mid-Ocean Ridge: A continuous undersea mountain range where new oceanic crust is created.
- Sonar: A technology utilized to measure underwater distances by analyzing sound wave echoes.
Processes and Mechanisms
- Seafloor Spreading: Involves the addition of new oceanic crust from molten rock material at mid-ocean ridges.
- Deep Ocean Trench: A significant ocean floor valley where oceanic crust submerges back into the mantle.
- Subduction: The descending of oceanic crust beneath a trench at convergent tectonic plate boundaries.
Historical Context
- Mapping Ocean Floors: Conducted in the 1960s using Sonar technology to create detailed maps of underwater topography.
- Theory Proposal: Harry Hess introduced the theory of Seafloor Spreading in 1960.
Steps in Seafloor Spreading
- The ocean floor expands at mid-ocean ridges, creating new crust on either side.
- Newly formed crust pushes older rocks away from the ridge.
Evidence Supporting Seafloor Spreading
- Molten Material: Evidence is found in submarine volcanic rocks, which solidify rapidly after underwater eruptions.
- Magnetic Stripes: Ocean floor rocks exhibit a pattern of magnetized stripes, indicating changes in Earth's magnetic field over time.
- Drilling Samples: Samples taken further from mid-ocean ridges show increased age, supporting the theory of spreading.
Oceanic Crust Dynamics
- Old Crust Behavior: As new molten material rises, the older oceanic crust undergoes subduction into the mantle.
Descriptions and Functions
- Mid-Ocean Ridge Description: Features a continuous range of underwater mountains formed by tectonic activity.
- Seafloor Spreading Process: Involves magma rising through cracks, solidifying to create new rock, which then pushes older rocks outwards.
Rationale for Subduction
- Subduction is driven by the formation of new rocks at mid-ocean ridges, causing older rock sections to sink back into the mantle.
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Explore essential terms related to seafloor spreading with these interactive flashcards. Learn about key concepts like mid-ocean ridges, sonar, and deep ocean trenches, which are crucial to understanding oceanic geology. Perfect for students studying Earth science or oceanography.