I apologize for any confusion caused by my previous response. Let's clarify the options regarding Hess' seafloor spreading hypothesis:
- The ocean floor has thick layers of sediments and debris.
- Earthquakes occur at the rim of the Atlantic Ocean.
- It is difficult to study marine life in the extreme depths of the ocean.
- Fossils found on the ocean floor are much younger than those on continents.
Hess's hypothesis primarily explains the creation and movement of oceanic crust, where new crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges and older crust moves away. Thus, the statement most aligned with the hypothesis would be:
Earthquakes occur at the rim of the Atlantic Ocean.
This is relevant because seismic activity is associated with tectonic plate boundaries, including divergent boundaries such as those found along mid-ocean ridges and convergent boundaries around continental margins.
Thank you for your patience, and I'm happy to clarify further if needed!