Why do geologists find Iceland a useful place to conduct research on seafloor spreading?

Why do geologists find Iceland a useful place to conduct research on seafloor spreading?

why might geologists find Iceland a useful place to conduct research on seafloor spreading? scientists suggest that differences in density cause hot, plasticlike rock to be forced upward toward the surface, cool, and sink.

How does this confirm the spreading of the seafloor?

The magnetism of mid-ocean ridges helped scientists first identify the process of seafloor spreading in the early 20th century. Oceanic crust slowly moves away from mid-ocean ridges and sites of seafloor spreading. As it moves, it becomes cooler, more dense, and more thick.

How does the topography of the sea floor give evidence for sea floor spreading?

The features of the seafloor and the patterns of magnetic polarity symmetrically about the mid-ocean ridges were the pieces that Hess needed. Hess called this idea seafloor spreading. Magma at the mid-ocean ridge creates new seafloor.

Who suggested that the sea floor was moving and not just the landmasses?

Alfred Wegener produced evidence in 1912 that the continents are in motion, but because he could not explain what forces could move them, geologists rejected his ideas. Almost 50 years later Harry Hess confirmed Wegener’s ideas by using the evidence of seafloor spreading to explain what moved continents.

What was the name of Wegener’s theory?

In the early 20th century, Wegener published a paper explaining his theory that the continental landmasses were “drifting” across the Earth, sometimes plowing through oceans and into each other. He called this movement continental drift.

What are the features of seafloor?

Features of the ocean include the continental shelf, slope, and rise. The ocean floor is called the abyssal plain. Below the ocean floor, there are a few small deeper areas called ocean trenches. Features rising up from the ocean floor include seamounts, volcanic islands and the mid-oceanic ridges and rises.

What is the importance of seafloor spreading?

Significance. Seafloor spreading helps explain continental drift in the theory of plate tectonics. When oceanic plates diverge, tensional stress causes fractures to occur in the lithosphere.

How does the land structure of Iceland help confirm?

Iceland would not exist unless there was two tectonic plates which it resides on. Iceland is actually breaking apart, around 1 cm every year, give or take. One part of Iceland is in North America and the other part is in Europe, we decide not to complicate things and say we are all in Europe.

How does the spreading of the sea floor work?

Describe the process of Sea-Floor Spreading. In sea-floor spreading, the sea floor spreads apart along both sides of a Mid-Ocean Ridge as the new material is added. The older ocean floor moves away from the Ridge, like a conveyor belts, carrying the continents along with them.

Where is Iceland located in the Atlantic Ocean?

Iceland is located in the Atlantic Ocean east of Greenland it is Europe’s western country it is the second largest island in the Atlantic Ocean. How do the land structures of Iceland help confirm seafloor spreading?

How often do tectonic plates break in Iceland?

If you are talking about continental drifts, then Iceland is the proof in the pudding. Iceland would not exist unless there was two tectonic plates which it resides on. Iceland is actually breaking apart, around 1 cm every year, give or take.