As one proceeds away from a mid-oceanic ridge
A) One finds that first the ridge is magnetically neutral, but then there is a polar magnetic field
B) The oceanic crust becomes younger and younger
C) The oceanic crust becomes older and older
D) The ridge has a reversed magnetic field, which reflects its formation many thousands of years ago

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As one moves away from a mid-oceanic ridge, the oceanic crust becomes older. This is because new crust is continuously formed at the ridge by upwelling magma, which then cools and solidifies. As more magma rises and solidifies, the newly formed crust is pushed away from the ridge, making the crust farther from the ridge older.

As One Proceeds Away from a Mid-Oceanic Ridge