Sea Floor Spreading Worksheet Answer Key

Sea floor spreading is a fascinating geological process that plays a crucial role in shaping our planet. If you're a science teacher or a student eager to learn more about this topic, you've come to the right place! In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of using worksheets as an effective tool to reinforce understanding of sea floor spreading.

  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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  Ocean Floor Diagram 5th Grade

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What is sea floor spreading?

Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges. As molten rock rises from the mantle, it solidifies and creates new crust, pushing the existing crust apart. This continuous spreading of the sea floor plays a key role in plate tectonics and the movement of the Earth's lithosphere.

Who proposed the theory of sea floor spreading?

The theory of sea floor spreading was proposed by Harry Hess in 1960, a geologist and geophysicist who theorized that new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges through volcanic activity and then spreads outward, pushing older crust away from the ridge.

What evidence supports the concept of sea floor spreading?

Evidence supporting the concept of sea floor spreading includes the symmetrical patterns of magnetic stripes in the oceanic crust, which indicate that new crust is continuously forming at mid-ocean ridges and spreading outward. Additionally, the age of the oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges, consistent with the idea of crustal formation at these ridges and subsequent movement away from them. Geological features such as rift valleys and volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges provide further evidence for the process of sea floor spreading.

How does sea floor spreading contribute to plate tectonics?

Sea floor spreading contributes to plate tectonics by forming new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges and pushing older crust away. This movement creates a mechanism for the plates to move across the Earth's surface, driving the process of plate tectonics. As the new crust is created, it pushes the plates apart, leading to the movement and interaction of tectonic plates that ultimately shape the Earth's surface and geological processes.

Describe the process of sea floor spreading.

Sea floor spreading is a geologic process where new oceanic crust is formed through volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges. Magma wells up from the mantle, solidifies as it cools, and creates new crust that then moves away from the ridge in both directions. As the crust spreads, it pushes older crust aside, creating a conveyor belt-like movement. This process results in the continuous expansion of the ocean floor and contributes to the theory of plate tectonics by explaining how tectonic plates move and interact with each other.

What happens at mid-ocean ridges during sea floor spreading?

At mid-ocean ridges during sea floor spreading, magma rises from the mantle and creates new oceanic crust as tectonic plates move apart. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms a continuous ridge along the ocean floor. This process adds new material to the plates, pushing them further apart and causing the ocean floor to spread out over time. The formation of new crust at mid-ocean ridges is a key driver of plate tectonics and the constant renewal of the Earth's surface.

How do magnetic reversals provide evidence for sea floor spreading?

Magnetic reversals provide evidence for seafloor spreading because they create alternating patterns of magnetic stripes on either side of mid-ocean ridges. As new magma rises and solidifies at the ridges, it records the direction and strength of the Earth's magnetic field at that time. Over time, as the Earth's magnetic field reverses, these magnetic stripes form a symmetrical pattern on either side of the ridge, showing that new oceanic crust is continuously being formed at the ridge, pushing older crust away from the center and providing support for the theory of seafloor spreading.

Explain the role of magma in sea floor spreading.

Magma plays a key role in sea floor spreading by rising up from the mantle through the mid-ocean ridges and creating new oceanic crust. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms new crust that pushes the existing crust apart, leading to the spreading of the sea floor. This process helps in the continuous renewal and expansion of the oceanic crust, contributing to the dynamic movement of tectonic plates on the Earth's surface.

How does sea floor spreading affect the age of rocks on the ocean floor?

Sea floor spreading affects the age of rocks on the ocean floor by creating new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges through the process of magma rising from the mantle and solidifying. As this new crust forms and moves away from the ridge, it records the Earth's magnetic field orientation at the time of formation. Over time, the oceanic crust becomes older as it moves away from the ridge, with the youngest rocks found at the ridge and the oldest rocks near the continental margins. This process of continuous creation and outward movement of the oceanic crust contributes to the varying age of rocks on the ocean floor.

What are some significant geological features that result from sea floor spreading?

Some significant geological features that result from sea floor spreading include mid-ocean ridges, ocean basins, fracture zones, abyssal plains, and pillow basalts. Mid-ocean ridges are underwater mountain ranges formed as tectonic plates separate and magma rises to create new oceanic crust. Ocean basins are deep depressions filled with ocean water that form between mid-ocean ridges. Fracture zones are large faults that are perpendicular to mid-ocean ridges and help accommodate the movement of tectonic plates. Abyssal plains are flat areas covered with fine sediment deposits that form adjacent to mid-ocean ridges. Pillow basalts are volcanic rocks that form when hot lava emerges from undersea vents and quickly solidifies in the cold ocean water.