* Divergent Plate Boundary: The plates pull away from each other, creating a gap.
* Magma Upwelling: Magma from the Earth's mantle rises up to fill the gap.
* New Crust Formation: As the magma cools and solidifies, it forms new oceanic crust, which is basalt.
* Mid-Ocean Ridges: The new crust builds up over time, creating underwater mountain ranges called mid-ocean ridges.
* Hydrothermal Vents: Hot water, rich in minerals, escapes from the ridges, creating hydrothermal vents.
Seafloor spreading is a fundamental process in plate tectonics, driving the movement of continents and shaping the Earth's surface.
