Question

Which information indicates that new seafloor rock is forming along the mid-ocean ridge and then moving horizontally away from the ridge?

A) most volcanoes are located under ocean water and found near the continental shelves.
B) paleomagnetic studies of the ocean floor demonstrate that the orientation of earth's magnetic field has remained constant.
C) fossils of marine organisms can be found at high elevations on continents.
D) the age of the seafloor rock increases as the distance from the mid-ocean ridge increases.

Answer 1

The correct answer is that the age of the seafloor rock increases as the distance from the mid-ocean ridge increases, which indicates new seafloor rock formation and lateral movement due to seafloor spreading.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which information indicates that new seafloor rock is forming along the mid-ocean ridge and then moving horizontally away from the ridge. The correct answer is D) the age of the seafloor rock increases as the distance from the mid-ocean ridge increases. This phenomenon is a direct result of the process known as seafloor spreading, which occurs at divergent plate boundaries. As the tectonic plates move apart, molten rock from the Earth's mantle rises to fill the gap. Once this molten rock cools and solidifies, it forms new seafloor rock at the ridge. As more new rock forms, it pushes the older rock away from the ridge, creating a pattern where the youngest rocks are at the ridge crest and the oldest rocks are farther away. This is further evidenced by paleomagnetic studies showing symmetrical patterns of magnetic reversals on either side of the ridge, indicating new rock formation over time as Earth's magnetic field has changed.