Which term describes the process of new oceanic crust formation at ocean ridges?

• A. Seafloor Spreading
• B. Continental Drift
• C. Lithosphere Formation
• D. Convection

Answer: (A)

New oceanic crust forms at ocean ridges through seafloor spreading. As mantle material rises at the ridge crest, it melts and magma erupts, then cools to solid rock, creating fresh crust. This new material pushes the surrounding plates apart, so the ocean floor spreads away from the ridge over time. While this process is driven by mantle convection, the term specifically describing the creation and outward movement of new seafloor is seafloor spreading. It's different from continental drift, which refers to the movement of continents themselves, and from convection, which describes the mantle flow that powers plate motions; lithosphere formation isn’t the standard term used for this particular process.