Evidence that tensile stresses are actively pulling the lithosphere apart in an ocean ridge system is given by ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The existence of a rift valley in a ridge system indicates that the lithosphere is being pulled apart by tensile stresses. A rift valley is a linear depression in the middle of a ridge system where the two plates are pulling apart from each other. This is the most direct evidence of active tensional forces in the lithosphere of an ocean ridge system. The width and height of the ridge system and the lack of thick sediments on the sea floor are not direct evidence of tensile stresses actively pulling the lithosphere apart.

Evidence That Tensile Stresses Are Actively Pulling the Lithosphere Apart