Question

On the Atlantic Ocean floor, there is a long ridge of underwater mountains caused by volcanic eruptions. New volcanoes keep erupting, and new mountains keep forming. Why is this happening?
A new continent is forming.
Crustal plates are colliding.
The ocean floor is spreading.
Earth's center is becoming hotter.

Answer 1

The reason for the formation of a long ridge of underwater mountains on the Atlantic Ocean floor, caused by volcanic eruptions and the continuous creation of new mountains, is primarily due to **the ocean floor spreading**. This occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and solidify, forming new oceanic crust. This process is a key aspect of plate tectonics and leads to the creation of new volcanic islands and underwater mountain ranges.