The concept of sea floor spreading explains the creation of new oceanic crust. Analyze how mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping support this theory.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Theories (continental drift theory, sea floor spreading, plate tectonics theory)
Topic: Theories (continental drift theory, sea floor spreading, plate tectonics theory)
Q2. The concept of sea floor spreading explains the creation of new oceanic crust. Analyze how mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping support this theory.15M
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights ias
Why the question: The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable. Key Demand of the question: To explain the concept of sea-floor spreading, then focus on how mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping serve as evidence for this process. Structure of the Answer: Introduction: Briefly explain the sea-floor spreading theory. Proposed by Harry Hess in the 1960s, this theory suggests that new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, pushing older crust away from the ridge. Body: Firstly, mention the Mid-Ocean Ridges as Evidence of Sea-Floor Spreading- Continuous Creation of New Crust. In evidence you can mention Ocean floor mapping has shown that the age of the oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea of continuous creation of new crust at the ridges. Next mention the Magnetic Striping as Evidence of Sea-Floor Spreading – As new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges, iron-rich minerals in the magma align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field, Symmetrical Magnetic Stripes, the pattern of magnetic stripes corresponds to the record of Earth’s magnetic field reversals. Conclusion: Together, they provide a strong foundation for understanding how oceanic crust is generated and how it moves over geological time.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2025 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To explain the concept of sea-floor spreading, then focus on how mid-ocean ridges and magnetic striping serve as evidence for this process.
Structure of the Answer:
Introduction:
Briefly explain the sea-floor spreading theory. Proposed by Harry Hess in the 1960s, this theory suggests that new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges as tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, pushing older crust away from the ridge.
• Firstly, mention the Mid-Ocean Ridges as Evidence of Sea-Floor Spreading- Continuous Creation of New Crust. In evidence you can mention Ocean floor mapping has shown that the age of the oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea of continuous creation of new crust at the ridges.
• In evidence you can mention Ocean floor mapping has shown that the age of the oceanic crust increases with distance from mid-ocean ridges, supporting the idea of continuous creation of new crust at the ridges.
• Next mention the Magnetic Striping as Evidence of Sea-Floor Spreading – As new oceanic crust forms at mid-ocean ridges, iron-rich minerals in the magma align themselves with the Earth’s magnetic field, Symmetrical Magnetic Stripes, the pattern of magnetic stripes corresponds to the record of Earth’s magnetic field reversals.
Conclusion:
Together, they provide a strong foundation for understanding how oceanic crust is generated and how it moves over geological time.