Question

Describing evidence of seafloor spreading, use the drop-down menus to complete each statement. Scientists discovered that new molten materials from inside the Earth create new ________. Rocks closest to the center of a mid-ocean ridge are ________ than those that are farther away.

1) oceanic crust, younger
2) continental crust, older
3) sedimentary rocks, denser
4) igneous rocks, lighter

Answer 1

Scientists have discovered that new molten materials from inside the Earth create new oceanic crust. The rocks closest to the center of a mid-ocean ridge are younger than those that are farther away.

Step-by-step explanation:

Scientists have discovered that new molten materials from inside the Earth create new oceanic crust. The rocks closest to the center of a mid-ocean ridge are younger than those that are farther away.

Seafloor spreading occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where divergent plate boundaries cause tectonic plates to move apart. As the plates separate, molten materials from the Earth's mantle rise to the surface and create new oceanic crust. The rocks closest to the center of the ridge are younger because they formed more recently, while the rocks farther away have had more time to cool and become older.