Seafloor Spreading: A Reflective Journey into Plate Tectonics

What process occurs at mid-ocean ridges that contributes to seafloor spreading?

A. Tectonic plate collision

B. Subduction of oceanic crust

C. Formation of new oceanic crust

D. Crustal compression

Answer:

The correct answer is C. Formation of new oceanic crust.

Seafloor spreading is a key process in plate tectonics that occurs at mid-ocean ridges. This process involves the formation of new oceanic crust as tectonic plates pull apart. As the plates move away from each other, magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap and solidifies, forming new crust.

The formation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges is a fundamental mechanism driving the movement of tectonic plates and the shaping of the Earth's surface. This process not only contributes to the expansion of the seafloor but also plays a crucial role in the recycling of oceanic crust and the creation of ocean basins.