Earths Structure And Layers Questions Medium
Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges that run through the middle of the Earth's oceans. They are formed by a process called seafloor spreading, which occurs at divergent plate boundaries.
At mid-ocean ridges, tectonic plates are moving apart, creating a gap between them. Magma from the Earth's mantle rises up through this gap and fills the space between the plates. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms new oceanic crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading.
Over time, as more magma is continuously added, the newly formed crust pushes the older crust away from the ridge, causing it to move laterally. This lateral movement of the oceanic plates away from the mid-ocean ridge is known as plate divergence.
As the plates move apart, they create tensional stress, causing the crust to crack and form a series of faults. These faults allow magma to rise to the surface, resulting in volcanic activity. The volcanic eruptions along the mid-ocean ridges release lava, which cools and solidifies to form new crust.
The continuous process of seafloor spreading and volcanic activity along the mid-ocean ridges leads to the formation of new oceanic crust and the expansion of the ocean basins. This process plays a crucial role in the movement of tectonic plates and the overall structure of the Earth's surface.