What Is Seafloor Spreading Theory

In locations where two plates move apart at mid ocean ridges new seafloor is continually formed during seafloor spreading.

What is seafloor spreading theory.

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. When oceanic plates diverge tensional stress causes fractures to occur in the lithosphere. Our mission is to liberate knowledge. The highly dense oceanic crust that is formed after a progressive spreading is destined to two possible occurrences.

It can either be subducted into the ocean deep trench or continue to spread across the ocean until it reaches a coast. Upsc geography sea floor spreading. Find out information about seafloor spreading theory. Seafloor spreading and magnetic striping rising.

Most but not all earthquakes in this planar dipping zone result from compression and the seismic activity extends 300 to 700 km 200 to 400 miles below the surface implying that the subducted crust retains some rigidity to this depth at greater depths the subducted plate is partially recycled into the mantle. Seafloor spreading helps to explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. When igneous rocks like basalt crystallize the iron atoms in them align with the magnetic field of the earth. Upsc geography sea floor spreading theory.

The theory of plate tectonics revolutionized the earth sciences by explaining how the movement of geologic plates causes mountain building volcanoes and earthquakes. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones and spreads out laterally away from them. Seafloor spreading evidence process.

Theory of lithospheric evolution that holds that the ocean floors are spreading outward from vast underwater ridges. Reconstruction of the map of the world according to drift theory for three epochs the upper one is the upper carboniferous the middle one is for the eocene and the lower one is for the lower quaternary. Explanation of seafloor spreading theory.