159k views
4 votes
Identify the true statement. Choose one: A. Seafloor spreading causes continents to move apart; subduction brings them together. B. To keep the Earth's surface area constant, the amount of seafloor spreading must be greater than the amount of subduction. C. Ocean basins get narrower as a result of seafloor spreading. D. Ocean floor is created by the process of subduction.

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

The true statement among the options provided is:

A. Seafloor spreading causes continents to move apart; subduction brings them together.

Step-by-step explanation:

Why?
Seafloor spreading is a geological process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed and pushes the existing crust apart. This movement of the seafloor causes continents to move apart. On the other hand, subduction occurs when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another, typically at convergent plate boundaries. Subduction brings the tectonic plates together and can result in the collision and uplift of continental crust.


Why Option B, C, and D are incorrect:

Option B is incorrect because the amount of seafloor spreading does not need to be greater than the amount of subduction to keep the Earth's surface area constant. The overall balance of seafloor spreading and subduction maintains a relatively constant surface area of the Earth.

Option C is incorrect because seafloor spreading actually leads to the widening of ocean basins, not their narrowing. As new crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, it pushes the existing crust apart and results in the expansion of the ocean basins.

Option D is incorrect because subduction is the process through which oceanic crust is consumed by sinking beneath another tectonic plate. It does not create ocean floor; rather, it plays a role in the recycling and destruction of oceanic crust.

User Pbaylis
by
8.3k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories