Which feature is associated with seafloor spreading?

Which feature is associated with seafloor spreading?

• A. Mid-ocean ridges where new crust forms
• B. Deep sea trenches
• C. Subduction zones
• D. Continental weather patterns

Answer: (A)

Seafloor spreading happens at divergent plate boundaries where magma from the mantle rises at mid-ocean ridges and solidifies to form new oceanic crust. As this new crust forms, the older crust moves away from the ridge on both sides, pushing the seafloor outward and making the ocean basin wider. This is why mid-ocean ridges are the key feature tied to seafloor spreading. Evidence for this process includes magnetic stripe patterns on either side of ridges that record reversals in Earth's field and the fact that rocks grow older the farther they are from the ridge, confirming continuous creation of new crust at the ridge. Deep sea trenches occur where one plate sinks beneath another in subduction zones, recycling old crust rather than creating new crust. Subduction zones are about crust being consumed, not formed. Continental weather patterns are atmospheric phenomena and not related to the process of seafloor spreading.

Seafloor spreading happens at divergent plate boundaries where magma from the mantle rises at mid-ocean ridges and solidifies to form new oceanic crust. As this new crust forms, the older crust moves away from the ridge on both sides, pushing the seafloor outward and making the ocean basin wider. This is why mid-ocean ridges are the key feature tied to seafloor spreading. Evidence for this process includes magnetic stripe patterns on either side of ridges that record reversals in Earth's field and the fact that rocks grow older the farther they are from the ridge, confirming continuous creation of new crust at the ridge.

Deep sea trenches occur where one plate sinks beneath another in subduction zones, recycling old crust rather than creating new crust. Subduction zones are about crust being consumed, not formed. Continental weather patterns are atmospheric phenomena and not related to the process of seafloor spreading.