Concept explainers
A survey of a mid-oceanic ridge determined the distance from the ridge axis to the reversal event as shown in the following table. What is the rate of seafloor spreading at this ridge?
Magnetic Polarity |
Reversal Event Age (106 Years) |
Distance from Ridge Axis to Reversal Episode (km) |
Normal |
0.715 |
87.5 |
Reverse |
0.850 |
109.7 |
Normal |
1.015 |
119.8 |
Reverse |
1805 |
211.2 |
Normal |
2.055 |
246.6 |
The rate of seafloor spreading at the given ridge data.
Answer to Problem 9PEB
Solution:
Explanation of Solution
Given data:
The following data table has been provided:
Magnetic Polarity | Reversal Event Age (106 Years) | Distance from Ridge Axis to Reversal Episode (km) |
Normal | 0.715 | 87.5 |
Reverse | 0.850 | 109.7 |
Normal | 1.015 | 119.8 |
Reverse | 1.805 | 211.2 |
Normal | 2.055 | 246.6 |
Formulae used:
The speed of the moving plate can be determined by the relation between distance velocity and time:
Here,
Writing an expression for the average velocity if the time duration for each velocity is same:
Explanation:
The average speed can be calculated by taking the sum of all the velocities and diving by the number of observations.
Here,
Case 1
Convert 87.5 km to cm.
Hence 87 km in cm is
Substituting
Hence the velocity is
Case 2
Convert 109.7 km to cm.
Hence 109.7 km in cm is
Substituting
Hence the velocity is
Case 3
Convert 119.8 km to cm.
Hence 119.8 km in cm is
Substitute
Hence the velocity is
Case 4
Convert 211.2 km to cm.
Hence 211.2 km in cm is
Substituting
Hence the velocity is
Case 5
Convert 246.6 km to cm.
Hence 211.2 km in cm is
Substituting
Hence the velocity is
Calculate the average velocity.
Substituting
Conclusion:
Hence, the velocity of the plate moving is
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