What is the process that continually adds new crust to the ocean floor along both sides of the mid-ocean ridge? convergent sea floor spreading

The process that continually adds new crust to the ocean floor along both sides of the mid-ocean ridge is **seafloor spreading**. ### **Seafloor Spreading** - **Definition:** Seafloor spreading is the mechanism by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and gradually moves away from the ridge axis in both directions. - **Process:** 1. **Magma Emergence:** Magma from the mantle rises up at divergent plate boundaries, such as mid-ocean ridges. 2. **Crust Formation:** As the magma cools, it solidifies to form new oceanic crust. 3. **Lateral Movement:** The newly formed crust is pushed away from the ridge, making space for more magma to rise and create additional crust. - **Evidence Supporting Seafloor Spreading:** - **Symmetrical Magnetic Stripes:** The Earth's magnetic field has reversed multiple times in geological history. These reversals are recorded as symmetrical patterns of magnetic stripes on either side of the mid-ocean ridges. - **Age of Oceanic Crust:** The ocean floor is youngest at the mid-ocean ridges and becomes progressively older as you move away from the ridge. - **Heat Flow:** Higher heat flow is observed at mid-ocean ridges, decreasing with distance from the ridge. ### **Convergent Boundaries (For Comparison)** - **Definition:** Convergent boundaries occur where two tectonic plates move toward each other. - **Outcomes:** - **Subduction Zones:** One plate is forced beneath another, leading to volcanic activity and the formation of deep ocean trenches. - **Mountain Building:** When two continental plates converge, they can form mountain ranges. While **convergent boundaries** involve the collision and interaction of tectonic plates, leading to phenomena like earthquakes, volcanic activity, and mountain formation, they are not responsible for the continual addition of new oceanic crust. That specific role belongs to **seafloor spreading** at divergent boundaries like mid-ocean ridges. ### **Summary** - **Correct Answer:** **Seafloor spreading** is the process that continually adds new crust to the ocean floor along both sides of the mid-ocean ridge.