The Theory Of Seafloor Spreading Is Supported By

Mantle convection is the slow churn ing motion of earth s mantle.

The theory of seafloor spreading is supported by. First proposed in the early 1960s by the american geologist harry h. The driver for seafloor spreading in plates with active margins is the weight of the cool dense subducting slabs that pull them along or slab pull. The vine matthews morley hypothesis also known as the morley vine matthews hypothesis was the first key scientific test of the seafloor spreading theory of continental drift and plate tectonics. Plate tectonics it was from the continental drift theory convection current theory and the theory of seafloor spreading the theory of plate tectonics was formulated.

First proposed in the early 1960s by the american geologist harry h. A veritable legion of evidence supports the seafloor spreading hypothesis. 1 at or near the crest of the ridge the rocks are very young and they become. Since then it has been shown that the motion of the continents is linked to seafloor spreading by the theory of plate tectonics.

Studies conducted with thermal probes for example indicate that the heat flow through bottom sediments is generally comparable to that through the continents except over the mid ocean ridges where at some sites the heat flow measures three to four times the normal value. Seafloor spreading and other tectonic activity processes are the result of mantle convection. Seafloor spreading theory of lithospheric evolution that holds that the ocean floors are spreading outward from vast underwater ridges. Harry hess s hypothesis about seafloor spreading had collected several pieces of evidence to support the theory.

In 1967 mckenzie and parker suggested the theory of plate tectonics. Its key impact was that it allowed the rates of plate motions at mid ocean ridges to be computed. This evidence was from the investigations of the molten material seafloor drilling radiometric age dating and fossil ages and the magnetic stripes. Like the scientists before us we will now merge the ideas of continental drift and seafloor spreading into the theory of plate tectonics.

Hess its major tenets gave great support to the theory of continental drift continental drift. Morgan later outlined the theory in 1968. Convection current s carry heat from the lower mantle and core to the lithosphere. Seafloor spreading theory of lithospheric evolution that holds that the ocean floors are spreading outward from vast underwater ridges.

Theory of plate tectonics when the concept of seafloor spreading came along scientists recognized that it was the mechanism to explain how continents could move around earth s surface. This evidence however was also used to support the theory of continental drift. This process later called seafloor spreading operating over many millions of years has built the 50 000 km long system of mid ocean ridges.