Table of Contents
- 1 What do plate tectonics and ocean trenches have in common?
- 2 How do mid-ocean ridges affect plate tectonics?
- 3 How is plate tectonics responsible for the formation of Earth’s deepest ocean trench?
- 4 Why do ocean water depths increase away from the mid-ocean ridges?
- 5 How are mid-ocean ridges formed?
- 6 Are mid ocean ridges and ocean trenches the same?
- 7 How do the oceanic plates move?
- 8 How do convection currents push the plates apart?
What do plate tectonics and ocean trenches have in common?
In particular, ocean trenches are a feature of convergent plate boundaries, where two or more tectonic plates meet. At many convergent plate boundaries, dense lithosphere melts or slides beneath less-dense lithosphere in a process called subduction, creating a trench.
How do mid-ocean ridges affect plate tectonics?
A mid-ocean ridge or mid-oceanic ridge is an underwater mountain range, formed by plate tectonics. Ridge-push occurs when the weight of the ridge pushes the rest of the tectonic plate away from the ridge, often towards a subduction zone. At the subduction zone, “slab-pull” comes into effect.
How are mid-ocean ridges and trenches related?
The oceanic lithosphere is formed at an oceanic ridge, while the lithosphere is subducted back into the asthenosphere at ocean trenches. Two processes, ridge-push and slab pull, are thought to be responsible for spreading at mid-ocean ridges.
How are mid-ocean ridges and deep-ocean trenches the same How are they different?
Mid-ocean ridges are areas of rifting where two tectonic plates are diverging from one another. Deep-ocean trenches are formed at convergent plate boundaries where the more dense plate (usually the oceanic) subducts under the less dense (usually continental).
How is plate tectonics responsible for the formation of Earth’s deepest ocean trench?
Trenches are formed by subduction, a geophysical process in which two or more of Earth’s tectonic plates converge and the older, denser plate is pushed beneath the lighter plate and deep into the mantle, causing the seafloor and outermost crust (the lithosphere) to bend and form a steep, V-shaped depression.
Why do ocean water depths increase away from the mid-ocean ridges?
Since hot rocks are in a more expanded state and then contract as they cool (as they spread away from the ridge), the midocean ridges stand up high above the surrounding seafloor. The seafloor depth increases with distance away from the midocean ridges.
How deep are deep sea trenches?
deep-sea trench, also called oceanic trench, any long, narrow, steep-sided depression in the ocean bottom in which occur the maximum oceanic depths, approximately 7,300 to more than 11,000 metres (24,000 to 36,000 feet). They typically form in locations where one tectonic plate subducts under another.
How do mid-ocean ridges and trenches form during convection currents?
They move because of something called convection currents. Convection currents push these plates together and apart. When two oceanic plates are pushed away from each other, magma rises to the surface between the plates and creates a ridge.
How are mid-ocean ridges formed?
It formed and evolves as a result of spreading in Earth’s lithosphere—the crust and upper mantle—at the divergent boundaries between tectonic plates. The vast majority of volcanic activity on the planet occurs along the mid-ocean ridge, and it is the place where the crust of the Earth is born.
Are mid ocean ridges and ocean trenches the same?
A mid ocean ridge is a divergent boundary where plates are moving apart, An ocean trench is a convergent boundary where plates are moving together.
Does mid ocean ridge have trenches?
Rapidly spreading ridges have a much more gentle slopes. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge, for instance, is a slow spreading center. It spreads 2-5 centimeters (. 8-2 inches) every year and forms an ocean trench about the size of the Grand Canyon.
How are under-water trenches and ridges created?
Under-water trenches and ridges are created by plate tectonics. The crust of the earth is covered with Oceanic and Continental plates. These plates are moving constantly but are moving very very slowly. They move because of something called convection currents. Convection currents push these plates together and apart.
How do the oceanic plates move?
They move because of something called convection currents. Convection currents push these plates together and apart. Convection currents are created by rising and falling heat in the earth’s mantle. When two oceanic plates are pushed away from each other, magma rises to the surface between the plates and creates a ridge.
How do convection currents push the plates apart?
Convection currents push these plates together and apart. Convection currents are created by rising and falling heat in the earth’s mantle. When two oceanic plates are pushed away from each other, magma rises to the surface between the plates and creates a ridge. Here are links to some websites you might like: