Post on 17-Jan-2016
transcript
Earth’s Spreading Ocean FloorSection 12-2
Rift valleys =
cracks in underwater mountains
Midocean RidgesUnderwater
mountainsEx. Mid-Atlantic
RidgeForm the smallest
mountain chainsThey have a great
amount of volcanic activity
MIDOCEAN RIDGES
Ocean – Floor SpreadingOccurs along
midocean ridgesProcess that explains
continental driftLava erupts from riff
valley causing ocean floor to spread
New ocean floor when it hardens
Rock near midocean ridge is younger
Ocean – Floor Spreading and Magnetic Stripes
Magnetic stripes in ocean floor rocks line up with poles but the Earth’s magnetic poles reverse from time to time giving good evidence.
Ocean Floor Spreading does not make Earth’s
Surface larger because it is being destroyed as fast as it is being made
TrenchesDeepest part of the oceanV-shaped valleys along the ocean bottom near continents or island
Subduction Older ocean floor moves down deep
into the Earth along
trenches
When deep enough, the rock melts becoming part of the
mantle
Denser materials go
down and less dense
float
Transform Faults
Thin cracks located between sections of oceanic ridges
Rock on either side of the fault are moving in opposite directions
Block tend to jam rather than slide smoothly past one another which causes stress to built up
When rock does suddenly slip it causes earthquakes