The phenomenon is known today as plate tectonics. In locations where two plates move apart, at mid-ocean ridges, new seafloor is continually formed during
Is new ocean floor created?
A second major site of active volcanism is along the axis of the oceanic ridge system, where the plates move apart on both sides of the ridge and magma wells up from the mantle, creating new ocean floor along the trailing edges of both plates. Virtually all of this volcanic activity occurs underwater.
Does new oceanic crust form?
New oceanic crust is continuously being formed as magma upwells at mid-ocean ridges. The characteristics of oceanic crust hold clues about its age and the environment in which it formed.
