Ocean Floor Spreading Theory
2 confirmation of repeated reversals of the earth magnetic field in the geologic past.
Ocean floor spreading theory. This theory introduced by harry hess was proven as patterns of magnetic. The theory of seafloor spreading. Spreading rate is the rate at which an ocean basin widens due to seafloor spreading. Seafloor spreading theory mapping of the ocean floor.
Seafloor spreading is the mechanism by which new seafloor lithosphere is constantly being created at mid ocean ridges. 3 emergence of the seafloor spreading hypothesis and associated recycling of oceanic. Spreading rates determine if the ridge is fast intermediate or slow. Enjoy the videos and music you love upload original content and share it all with friends family and the world on youtube.
As upwelling of magma continues the plates continue to diverge a process known as seafloor spreading samples collected from the ocean floor show that the age of oceanic crust increases with distance from the spreading centre important evidence in favour of this process. The magnetism of mid ocean ridges helped scientists first identify the process of seafloor spreading in the early 20th century. Detailed research of the ocean configuration was done using sonic waves and it contained a sender and a receiver. These age data also allow the rate of seafloor spreading to be determined and they show that rates.
In particular four major scientific developments spurred the formulation of the plate tectonics theory. To map the oceanic floor provided a detailed picture of the ocean relief. 1 demonstration of the ruggedness and youth of the ocean floor. In addition he found that the deepest parts of the oceans were very close to.
It revealed that the ocean floor is not just a plain but it is full of relief. Seafloor spreading is a geologic process where there is a gradual addition of new oceanic crust in the ocean floor through a volcanic activity while moving the older rocks away from the mid oceanic ridge. Seafloor spreading theory that oceanic crust forms along submarine mountain zones known collectively as the mid ocean ridge system and spreads out laterally away from them. Hess discovered that the oceans were shallower in the middle and identified the presence of mid ocean ridges raised above the surrounding generally flat sea floor abyssal plain by as much as 1 5 km.
This theory later became known as sea floor spreading.