Final answer:
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent plate boundary where lithospheric plates move apart at a rate of 4 to 5 centimeters per year, which is similar to the growth rate of human hair. This movement contributes to the creation of new geological features and helps scientists understand Earth's geological history and predict seismic activities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of a divergent plate boundary where the lithospheric plates are moving away from each other. The motion between the tectonic plates at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is typically at average speeds of 4 to 5 centimeters per year. This rate of movement is often likened to the rate at which human hair or fingernails grow. At divergent boundaries like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, volcanic activity extrudes material to fill the gap between the separating tectonic plates.
Understanding this movement is crucial for gaining insight into the dynamic geology of Earth. These spreading rates along rifts are comparable with the motion observed along active fault zones where one crustal plate slides parallel to another. By studying the magnetization of rocks that occurs due to periodic reversals of Earth's magnetic field, we obtain a historical record of this movement. Hence, the rate of spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge can inform us about the history of the Earth's magnetic field as well.
For example, if we consider tectonic plates' speed at 4.0 cm/year, and calculate the distance moved in a second, and its speed over a million years, we can further quantify these geological processes. Using this kind of data helps scientists to predict and understand geological events, such as potential seismic activities and the growth of new geological features.