Seafloor Spreading and

Magnetic Striping
Plate Tectonic Theory
The theory of plate tectonics states that the Earth’s solid outer
crust, the lithosphere, is separated into plates that move over
the asthenosphere, the molten upper portion of the mantle.
Oceanic and continental plates come together, spread apart,
and interact at boundaries all over the planet.

Seafloor spreading and magnetic striping are important

evidence to support the theory of seafloor spreading.
The process of seafloor spreading and magnetic striping
• At a plate boundary, called a mid-ocean ridge, magma rises through the gap in the crust

• The magma contains magnetic particles

• Magma cools and hardens, forming new crust

• The magnetic particles align with Earth’s magnetic field

• More magma rises, pushing the older magma further from the ridge

• If Earth’s magnetic field has flipped, the magnetic particles line up in the opposite direction

• This cycle repeats many times over millions of years forming a striped pattern on the sea floor

• At plate boundaries far from the mid-ocean ridge denser oceanic crust sinks (subducts) under
continental crust
• This forms an oceanic trench

• The oceanic crust is pulled down into the mantle where it melts and becomes magma
Evidence for the Theory of Plate Tectonics
Seafloor spreading and magnetic striping occur together. They provide
a explanation to support the idea that Earth’s tectonic plates are
moving.
Describe how seafloor spreading and
magnetic striping occur and explain why this
is evidence for the theory of plate tectonics.