Chapter 27, Problem 18TE

How old is the Atlantic Ocean thought to be?

To determine

Age of the Atlantic Ocean

Answer to Problem 18TE

The oldest oceanic crust in the Atlantic is about 14.5 Crores years.

Explanation of Solution

The world’s second-largest ocean is the Atlantic Ocean that spreads across $20\%$ of the earth’s surface and covers about $29\%$ of the water surface area on the Earth. The depth as calculated using sonar technology from its topmost layer to the land surface at its bottom is $3803.916\text{ meter}$.

The region covered by the Atlantic Ocean is very vast, it is spread between Europe and Africa to the East and is connected to America to the west. The Atlantic Ocean is also connected to World’s other famous Oceans like the Arctic and the Pacific Ocean.

Using the magnetic properties and vary age calculating technologies of the matter, the oldest crust of the Atlantic Ocean is found to be $14.5\text{ Crores}\text{years}$.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the oldest oceanic crust in the Atlantic is about $14.5\text{ Crores}\text{years}$.