Did the Mid-Atlantic Ridge cause continental drift?

Question

it would make perfect sense, but I just want to make sure.

Answer 1

The mid-Atlantic ridge is part of a global network of sea floor spreading zones that are all completely connected. Seafloor spreading is responsible for continental drift, but it would not be correct to say that the mid-atlantic ridge is solely responsible since it only affects the continents on either side of the Atlantic ocean. If you would like more information just say so and I'll be happy to go into greater detail. For now I'll just give you a link to Wikipedea's section on plate tectonics and continental drift (the theory of plate tectonics explains continental drift which has since been proven by GPS satellites).

Answer 2

No, it is more correct to say that there is a single cause for all of the mid-Atlantic Ridge, the seafloor spreading, and continental drift, namely the enormously slowly turning convection cells in the Earth's mantle between the thin crust and the metallic core.

Answer 3

Geologist Marie Tharp (born 1920) is known for her maps of ocean floors. These maps are helpful in showing the structure and evolution of the sea floors.

Marie Tharp is a mapmaker who charted the bottom of the ocean at a time when little was known about undersea geology. Her detailed maps showed features that helped other scientists understand the structure and evolution of the sea floor. In particular, Tharp's discovery of the valley that divides the Mid-Atlantic Ridge convinced other geologists that sea floor was being created at these ridges and spreading outward. The confirmation of "seafloor spreading" led to the eventual acceptance of the theory of continental drift, now called plate tectonics.

Answer 4

yes it does, new lava comes out of it, making the ocean floor wider, pushing the plates. there are many spreading centres in the world and also many plates moving.