Earth Sea Floor Spreading Test

A test of the hypothesis of sea floor spreading was provided by studies of the earth s magnetism.

Earth sea floor spreading test.

As the ocean seafloor spreads the newly formed floor will adapt a specific magnetic signature according to the earth s magnetic pole at that time. Ocean floor test yourself ocean floor test yourself. The oceanic crust is composed of rocks that move away from the ridge as new crust is being formed. As years pass lateral segments of seafloor will thus share the same signature on either side of the mid oceanic ridge.

The mid atlantic ridge for instance separates the north american plate from the eurasian plate and the south american plate from the african plate the east pacific rise is a mid ocean ridge that runs through the eastern pacific ocean and separates the pacific plate from the north american. Layers of the earth pdf or google doc. The formation of the new crust is due to the rising of the molten material magma from the mantle by convection current. In this section we are going to take alfred wegener s thoughts a little further.

Let s explore another idea called seafloor spreading. The earth s magnetic field the earth s magnetic field is thought to arise from the movement of liquid iron in the outer core as the planet rotates. Spreading rates determine if the ridge is fast intermediate or slow. Sea floor spreading.

The rate at which new oceanic lithosphere is added to each tectonic plate on either side of a mid ocean ridge is the spreading half rate and is equal to half of the spreading rate. This quiz and worksheet can help you gauge your understanding of seafloor spreading and how it occurs. Spreading rate is the rate at which an ocean basin widens due to seafloor spreading. 9 questions by mr diaz last updated.

The mid ocean ridge is the region where new oceanic crust is created. You will be quizzed on basalts and earth s magnetic field. About this quiz worksheet. The earth is divided into three layers the atmosphere the lithosphere and the.

Wherever continents are bordered by deep sea trench systems as in the pacific ocean the ocean floor is plunged downward underthrusting the continents and ultimately reentering and dissolving in earth s mantle from which it had originated. Seafloor spreading occurs along mid ocean ridges large mountain ranges rising from the ocean floor. The process of sea floor spreading. Purchase this seafloor spreading activity at teachers pay teachers for 1 50 cents.

Ocean floor quiz ocean floor quiz.