"A mid-ocean ridge (MOR) is a seafloor mountain system formed by plate tectonics."
The seafloor spreading centers where new oceanic crust is formed.
Plate Tectonics: The theory that explains how the earth's plates move and interact with each other.
Mid-Ocean Ridges: Underwater mountain chains where tectonic plates are spreading apart, creating new crust.
Sea-Floor Spreading: The process by which new oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, spreading apart the two adjacent tectonic plates.
Transform Faults: The boundaries between two tectonic plates that slide past each other horizontally.
Volcanism: The presence of volcanoes along mid-ocean ridges where magma rises to the surface and solidifies into new crust.
Hydrothermal Vents: Cracks in the seafloor where heated water and minerals are released into the water, forming unique habitats for organisms.
Rift Valleys: Deep valleys that form between two diverging tectonic plates.
Magnetic Anomalies: Variations in the earth's magnetic field caused by changes in the alignment of the magnetic minerals in the oceanic crust.
Subduction Zones: Areas where two tectonic plates converge, with one plate sinking beneath the other.
Convergent Boundaries: The areas where two tectonic plates collide, leading to the creation of mountain ranges and volcanic arcs.
Mantle Plumes: Columns of hot material that rise from the upper mantle to the surface, causing volcanic activity in places where they intersect with tectonic plates.
Crustal Growth and Recycling: The process by which new crust is created at mid-ocean ridges, while old crust is consumed at subduction zones.
Earthquake Seismology: The study of earthquakes and seismic waves, which can provide insights into the structure and dynamics of the earth's interior.
Geologic Time Scales: The timeline of the earth's history, which can provide context for understanding the evolution of mid-ocean ridges and plate tectonics.
Global Ocean Circulation: The patterns of ocean currents and circulation that are influenced by the topography and dynamics of mid-ocean ridges.
Fast-Spreading Ridge: These ridges have a high spreading rate and are characterized by a wide rift valley and a steep slope. They also exhibit numerous volcanic features.
Slow-Spreading Ridge: These ridges have a low spreading rate and are characterized by a narrow rift valley and a gentle slope. They exhibit fewer volcanic features than fast-spreading ridges.
Ultraslow-Spreading Ridge: These ridges have a very low spreading rate and are characterized by a wide and shallow rift valley. The volcanic features are limited to small seamounts or volcanic cones.
Ridge Crest: This is the summit or peak of a mid-ocean ridge. It is characterized by volcanic features such as hydrothermal vents, black and white smokers and seafloor massive sulfide deposits.
Transform Fault: These are faults that occur between two segments of a mid-ocean ridge, where the lithosphere is broken into two parts and slides past each other. They are characterized by parallel linear features and high seismic activity.
Ridge Flank: This is the side of the mid-ocean ridge and is characterized by volcanic edifices such as seamounts, volcanoes and ridges.
Oceanic Core Complex: These are when the detachment faults become exposed on the seafloor, creating a deep depression or valley. These are characterized by smooth, flat seafloors and large abyssal hills.
Volcanic Passive Margin: A volcanic passive margin is created when the continental margin lies along a mid-ocean ridge. It is characterized by a steep continental slope and an abrupt transition to deep, open ocean water.
Central Volcanic Chain: This is where the volcano is located along the central axis or crest of the ridge system. It is characterized by the presence of a large caldera at the summit of the volcano.
Ridge Segments: These are sections of the mid-ocean ridge that are separated by transform faults. They are characterized by earthquakes and volcanic activity along the segment boundaries.
"It typically has a depth of about 2,600 meters (8,500 ft)."
"It rises about 2,000 meters (6,600 ft) above the deepest portion of an ocean basin."
"Seafloor spreading takes place along a divergent plate boundary."
"The rate of seafloor spreading determines the morphology of the crest of the mid-ocean ridge and its width in an ocean basin."
"The production of new seafloor and oceanic lithosphere results from mantle upwelling in response to plate separation."
"The melt rises as magma at the linear weakness between the separating plates."
"It emerges as lava, creating new oceanic crust and lithosphere upon cooling."
"The first discovered mid-ocean ridge was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge."
"The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a spreading center that bisects the North and South Atlantic basins."
"Most oceanic spreading centers are not in the middle of their hosting ocean basins."
"Mid-ocean ridges are traditionally called mid-ocean ridges."
"Mid-ocean ridges around the globe are linked by plate tectonic boundaries."
"The trace of the ridges across the ocean floor appears similar to the seam of a baseball."
"The mid-ocean ridge system is the longest mountain range on Earth, reaching about 65,000 km (40,000 mi)."
"...formed by plate tectonics."
"The production of new seafloor and oceanic lithosphere results from mantle upwelling in response to plate separation."
"The melt rises as magma at the linear weakness between the separating plates."
"The first discovered mid-ocean ridge was the Mid-Atlantic Ridge."
"Mid-ocean ridges around the globe are linked by plate tectonic boundaries."