Midocean Ridge

A mid-ocean ridge is a large underwater mountain range that forms at divergent tectonic plate boundaries, where two oceanic plates are slowly moving apart. As the plates separate, magma from the Earth's mantle rises to fill the gap, creating new ocean floor and volcanic activity. This continuous process results in a long, underwater mountain chain that encircles the globe, the most prominent being the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Mid-ocean ridges are key sites of seafloor spreading and play a vital role in Earth's geological cycle, influencing ocean chemistry, seismic activity, and the distribution of marine life.