Scientists are examining different sea floor structures like those in the model of the Earth's crust below.

Question

The distance between X and Y represents thousands of kilometers of distance on Earth. The scientists notice that the rocks located at point X are older than the rocks located at point Y. What does this information about the age of the rocks indicate to the scientists?
A.
The sea floor is moving from X to Y over the course of millions of years.
B.
There is an underwater volcano producing new rock at point X.
C.
New rock is constantly covering old rock on the ocean floor.
D.
The sea floor is moving from Y to X over the course of millions of years.

Answer 1

The information that the rocks at point X are older than the rocks at point Y suggests that new rock is being formed or that the sea floor is moving in a certain direction. In this context, the correct interpretation would be:

A. The sea floor is moving from X to Y over the course of millions of years.

This interpretation aligns with the concept of plate tectonics and seafloor spreading, where newer oceanic crust is created at mid-ocean ridges and moves outward, making the rocks farther from the ridge younger than those closer to it.