Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
seafloor-spreading
Noun
/ˈsiːflɔːr ˈsprɛdɪŋ/
Definition
The process by which new oceanic crust is created through volcanic activity and subsequently moves away from the ridge, causing the ocean floor to expand.
Examples
- The mid-ocean ridges are sites of seafloor spreading.
- Seafloor spreading is crucial for understanding plate tectonics.
- Oceanic trenches are often formed as a result of seafloor spreading.
Meaning
Seafloor spreading is a geological process that explains how oceanic plates diverge and how new material is added to the ocean floor.
Synonyms
- Plate tectonics
- Ocean floor expansion
- Marine crust formation
