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?

Question

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.