Over millions of years, this system evolved, with segments becoming more defined and the ridge taking on the sprawling "S" shape we see today. The ridge is as old as the ocean basin it helps to create, making it a constant feature through the age of the dinosaurs and into the current era.
Decoding the Age: How Ancient Sections of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge Formed Over Time
The oceanic crust created at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge eventually moves outward until it reaches a subduction zone, where it is recycled back into the mantle. The Concept of a Moving Ridge To determine the age of the ridge itself, we must first understand that the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a divergent plate boundary.
The sections of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge near the Arctic and its connection to the Gakkel Ridge are estimated to be up to 140 to 150 million years old, dating back to the early days of the Atlantic Ocean. This means the rocks immediately adjacent to the ridge summit are the youngest, with the age of the seafloor increasing symmetrically away from the center.
Determining the Age of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge
Region Approximate Age Characteristics Ridge Summit (Spreading Center) Less than 1 million years old Youngest rocks, active volcanism, shallow earthquakes. The Earth's magnetic field reverses irregularly over time, creating a striped pattern on the ocean floor.
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