Sea Floor Spreading Activit

When taught in series the lessons proceed in much the same way that scientists discovered seafloor spreading and plate tectonics.

Sea floor spreading activit.

Spreading rates determine if the ridge is fast intermediate or slow. The mid ocean ridge is where the seafloor spreading occurs in which tectonic plates large slabs of earth s lithosphere split apart. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones and spreads out laterally away from them. Displaying top 8 worksheets found for activity seafloor spreading.

Seafloor spreading is a geologic process where there is a gradual addition of new oceanic crust in the ocean floor through a volcanic activity while moving the older rocks away from the mid oceanic ridge. Mantle convection is the slow churning motion of earth s mantle. 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. Seafloor spreading is the movement of magma through a crack in a mid oceanic ridge.

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. Most basalt magmas contain abundant molten iron. When a divergent boundary occurs in the ocean seafloor spreading is the result. Convection currents also recycle lithospheric materials back to the mantle.

Their crystals are pulled into alignment by the earth s magnetic field just like a compass needle is pulled towards magnetic north. This choice is left up to the teacher depending on the reasoning skills of the students. Convection currents carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. As magma starts to harden into rock iron rich minerals solidify first.

Once the basalt cools completely into solid rock the. This interactive activity is simple to prepare and to execute and allows the students to understand seafloor spreading and the position of newer rock and older rock in relation to. Spreading rate is the rate at which an ocean basin widens due to seafloor spreading.