1 Mechanism Explaining Sea Floor Spreading - Basics for Plate Tectonics YouTube Lecture Handouts
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1 Mechanism Explaining Sea Floor Spreading - Basics for Plate Tectonics
Sea Floor Spreading
- ItΥs a theory of lithospheric evolution that holds that the ocean floors are spreading outward from vast underwater ridges.
- First proposed in the early 1960Υs.
- Proposed by the American geologist Harry H. Hess.
- Its major beliefs gave great support to the theory of continental drift.
- Provided a conceptual base for the development of plate tectonics.
Harry H. Hess
- He was a geologist and a United States Navy officer in World War II.
- Best known for his theories on sea floor spreading.
- Specifically work on relationships between island arcs, seafloor gravity anomalies, and serpentinized peridotite.
Europe Continent
Explore the Ocean
Seafloor Spreading Model
Supporting Evidence for Seafloor Spreading
- Abundant evidence supports the major contentions of this theory.
- First, samples of deep ocean floor show that basaltic oceanic crust and superimposing sediment become progressively.
- Second, rock making up the ocean floor is considerably younger than the continents.
Evidences for Sea Floor Spreading
Evidence Used to Support the Theory of Continental Drift
- Molten material
- Radiometric age dating and fossil ages
- Seafloor drill
- Magnetic stripes
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