I know how it spreads, because the magma from the ridges push up right? but then how can the RATE be DETERMINED? hooooow like looking at all the evidences, how theres the magnetic pull stuff...
i also have a data chart of the magnetic orientation of some rocks from the mid-atlantic ridge...
2006-10-22 11:59:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The rate is different at each divergent boundary, so you'd need to look it up for a given site. For example, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is spreading at a rate of 5 to 10 cm per year. The East Pacific Rise is spreading at up to 13 cm/yr.
2006-10-22 12:01:58 · answer #1 · answered by DavidK93 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
at mid atlantic ridge the new floor is being made means that younger rocks would be found at the MOR.and as we go away the floor gets older and dense.....that means with the movement of the plate the new floor is associated....
knowing the time of travell of the rock from mid oceanic ridge to that place it is exposed and consumed by the subduction.
distance can also be known ....
distance and travell time is available so we can easily determine the rate or speed of the plate by using a formula
speed=distance\time.....
that is it :)
2006-10-23 08:16:21 · answer #2 · answered by hussainalimalik1983 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Piece of cake. Anchor 2 (or more) electronic modules on the
ocean floor. In several locations (or just 2) and monitor them with GPS
2006-10-22 19:12:59 · answer #3 · answered by mike p 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Subduction is part of that process. Check with Encarta Encyclopedia.
2006-10-22 19:36:15 · answer #4 · answered by Cordelia 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go down below and bring a broom and sweep the sea floor and see how it spreads,
2006-10-22 19:00:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
With a very long ruler........
2006-10-22 19:02:15 · answer #6 · answered by pikeruss 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋