Crust formation

New crust is formed along the mid-ocean ridges. Plumes of upwelling magma push the plates apart along these ridges at a rate of 1 - 5 cm per year. Underwater volcanoes--black smokers--are a common feature of the ridges.

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Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC

Published February 7, 2000
Data acquired February 7, 2000

Topic:

Oceans > Marine Geophysics > Mid-ocean Ridges