With increasing distance from an oceanic ridge, the rocks become older. the rocks become younger. the rocks' ages alternate between younger and older. All of the choices; different patterns occur at different ridges. A. TrueB. False

Question

Quinton Graham

Geography

12 March, 08:12

With increasing distance from an oceanic ridge, the rocks become older. the rocks become younger. the rocks' ages alternate between younger and older. All of the choices; different patterns occur at different ridges. A. TrueB. False

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Memphis Jacobson · Answer 1

Option (1)

False

Explanation:

The mid-oceanic ridge is one of the main features in the divergent plate boundary. Seafloor spreading takes place along this ridge, where the lithosphere becomes thin because of the uprising magma. The magma erupts at the surface forming a ridge which is commonly known as the mid-oceanic ridge.

As the magma melts at this ridge due to the decompression process, it solidifies and forms young basaltic igneous rocks. These are geologically the youngest rocks. With the increasing distance right from the mid-oceanic ridge, the age of the rocks increases.

Thus, the correct answer is option (1).

At this mid-oceanic ridge, when the magma erupts at the seafloor, it is comprised of magnetic minerals, which shows a specific pattern in the orientation of the earth's magnetic polarity. This forms alternate stripes, that starts from the mid-oceanic ridge and eventually expand outward. This pattern of earth's magnetic polarity is found in all the mid-oceanic ridges on earth.

Hence the given statement is false.