Question

How did sea floor spreading contribute to the theory of plate tectonics?

Answer 1

Sea floor spreading contributed to the theory of plate tectonics in the following ways given below.

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Sea floor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and then moves away from the ridge, creating a conveyor belt-like motion.

2. As molten material rises from the mantle at the mid-ocean ridges, it solidifies and forms new crust. This process is called volcanic activity.

3. As new crust is formed, it pushes the existing crust away from the ridge, spreading the sea floor.

4. This spreading of the sea floor provided evidence for the theory of plate tectonics because it explained the mechanism for the movement of the Earth's lithospheric plates.

5. By observing the pattern of magnetic stripes on the sea floor, scientists discovered that the crust on either side of the mid-ocean ridge is symmetrical and shows alternating magnetic polarity.

6. These magnetic stripes indicated that the Earth's magnetic field has reversed multiple times in the past, and the alternating pattern of magnetic stripes provided evidence for sea floor spreading.

7. The discovery of magnetic anomalies on the sea floor provided support for the idea that tectonic plates are in constant motion and that new crust is continuously being created at the mid-ocean ridges.

8. Sea floor spreading also explained the mechanism behind other geological features, such as the formation of oceanic trenches and the recycling of old crust back into the mantle through subduction zones.

In summary, sea floor spreading provided crucial evidence for the theory of plate tectonics by explaining how new crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and how it spreads, supporting the idea of tectonic plate movement and the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface.

Answer 2

Sea floor spreading supports the theory of plate tectonics by demonstrating how new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges contributes to the continental drift, the mobility of crustal plates, and the distribution of geological features such as volcanoes and earthquakes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sea floor spreading played a pivotal role in bolstering the theory of plate tectonics. The concept, proposed by Harry Hess, involves the creation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges. As magma rises from the mantle at these ridges, it cools and solidifies to form new sea floor. The process is a compelling demonstration of plates moving apart as they are pushed by the new material. Additionally, the distribution of ages of seafloor rocks can be observed with the oldest rocks furthest from the ridge and the youngest rocks at the ridge itself, mapping out a pattern of spreading over time.

Sea floor spreading contributes to our understanding of the mechanism behind continental drift, which was a major stepping stone to the acceptance of Wegener's idea. The validity of sea floor spreading and the systemic way the seafloor ages confirms the mobility of large crustal plates. This mechanism also explains the distribution of geological features like volcanoes and earthquakes, making it a crucial aspect of Earth's natural heat transfer system. Thus, sea floor spreading became a central element in the unified model of plate tectonics.