Plate Tectonics Questions Medium
The process of mid-ocean ridge formation is known as seafloor spreading. It occurs at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates move away from each other. As the plates separate, magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap, creating new oceanic crust. This magma cools and solidifies, forming a continuous underwater mountain range known as a mid-ocean ridge. The ridge is characterized by a central rift valley where volcanic activity and earthquakes are common. Over time, as the plates continue to move apart, the ridge expands, and new crust is continuously added, contributing to the growth of the ocean floor.