Plate Tectonics Questions Medium
Seafloor spreading is a geological process that occurs at the mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed. It is a key component of plate tectonics theory. As the tectonic plates move apart, magma rises from the mantle and fills the gap, creating new crust. This process results in the continuous spreading of the seafloor, pushing the older crust away from the ridge. As the new crust cools and solidifies, it forms a symmetrical pattern of magnetic stripes on either side of the ridge, known as magnetic anomalies. Seafloor spreading plays a crucial role in the movement and interaction of tectonic plates, contributing to the formation of new ocean basins and the recycling of old crust back into the mantle through subduction zones.