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Author Question: Why does the lithosphere thicken as it moves away from a mid-ocean ridge? What will be an ideal ... (Read 64 times)

KimWrice

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on: Jul 15, 2018
Why does the lithosphere thicken as it moves away from a mid-ocean ridge?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Discuss how oceanic crust forms. What process generates the necessary magma? Also, be sure to discuss ophiolite sequences and discuss how the formation of each layer contributes to the formation of the crust.
 
  What will be an ideal response?


vish98

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Reply #1 on: Jul 15, 2018
Answer to Question 1

Answer: Cooling of the asthenosphere will add rigid material to the lithosphere.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: Magma is generated through decompression melting. This magma rises to the surface to fill in the gaps between the diverging tectonic plates. Fractures created by tension provide pathways for magma to rise and spill out on to the ocean floor, creating the pillow basalts. The fractures the basalt moved through become sheeted dikes as the magma cools. Meanwhile, the magma that remained in the magma chamber forms the gabbro bodies.


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