Science Olympiad Dynamic Planet Practice Test

Which term describes the process by which new ocean floor is created?

1. Subduction

2. Sea-floor spreading

3. Continental uplift

4. Oceanization

The correct answer is: Sea-floor spreading

Sea-floor spreading is the process by which new ocean floor is created at mid-ocean ridges. This occurs when tectonic plates pull apart and magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap. As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms new oceanic crust. This ongoing process contributes to the growth of ocean basins and the movement of continents. The term encapsulates both the mechanism of plate tectonics and the formation of oceanic lithosphere. The creation of ocean floor is essential for understanding the dynamics of oceanic environments, the recycling of materials within the Earth's crust, and the geological features associated with ocean ridges. This concept is fundamental in geology and plate tectonics as it explains how oceans expand over geological time scales.