|
Ocean ridge - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Acres, Bags, Barrels, Blue, Brine, Bushel, Deep, Drink, Flood, Load, Main, Mass, Mountain, Much, Oceans, Peck |
|
|
|
Oceanic_spreading.png
Oceanic crust is formed at an oceanic ridge, while the lithosphere is subducted back into the asthenosphere at trenches.
An oceanic ridge is an underwater mountain range, usually formed by plate tectonics.
They are geologically active, with new magma constantly emerging onto the ocean floor through a gap called a rift in the earth's crust. In most instances, it accumulates and forms new crust. However, submarine volcanoes might also be formed.
The rocks making up the sea floor are usually younger near the centre of the ridge and the older ones located farther away from the rift. This is evidence that new magma constantly emerges through a rift.
Also, the sea floor is made up of rocks generally much younger than the Earth itself. This suggests that the sea floor is in a constant state of 'renewal'.
List of oceanic ridges
See also
|
|
Example Usage of Ocean |
 |
kiwisnake: Oh but I am.. :) RT @vavroom: @kiwisnake You are about as shy as the Ocean's dry, which is not at all! |
 |
Hahahanna: A drop in the Ocean, a change in the weather I was praying that you and me might end up together |
 |
L4DYL0V3: Give me this moment, I'll wade into the Ocean. |
|
