What are ocean dorsals

Oceanic dorsals are formations of Submarine mountain chains that extend throughout the background of the ocean. Are the result of the activity or Oceanic tectonic plates movementthat move continuously and create new rocks on the margins of the plates. Dorsals are important because they are a source of volcanic and seismic activityand also play an important role in the Ocean Fund Formation.

The reason why they form begins when two oceanic plates separate. As the two plates move away, a fracture zone at the bottom of the ocean. The fracture is a place where the oceanic cortex is broken and separated, and where the formation of a new ocean cortex begins.

Like any mountainous system on the surface of the Earth, oceanic dorsals have formed land with heights between 2,000 and 3,000 meters throughout the development of the Earth. Have Very rugged profiles with deep valleys, slopes and outgoing that can eventually reach the surface to form new volcanic islands or groups of volcanic islands.

The most striking feature is the great recessed edge that runs the entire crown length. This division is called crack or rift. A rift valley is a “sewing” of volcanically active earth permanently; It is the site responsible for the passage of the lava from the center of the planet to the upper cortex where it accumulates, stabilizes and cools gradually.

Volcanic activity in the dorsal is manifested in different ways. While rifts are stripes where there is a continuous activity, it is not an activity too strong. Thousands of fumarolas and Submarine volcanoes They are distributed over the 60,000 kilometers of mountainous chains that extend all over the world. The minerals involved in this exchange support life in its most basic form.

All this suggests that the seabed is constantly renewed, with magmatic material that accumulates and moves over time to create the entire ground strip on sea level that houses known mineral resources.

So how are Oceanic dorsals formed? We have already seen that A fracture in the oceanic background is generated. Throughout the fracture, a Submarine volcano chainwhich are fed by an ascending current of the earth’s mantle. As Magma cools and solidifiesnew oceanic crust is created. This is what makes ocean dorsals unique, since they are the place where it is being generated New oceanic crust.

As bark formation occurs, The oldest oceanic plaques move away from the dorsal and move towards the margins of the oceans. This process is known as Ocean Fund Expansion. As the plates move away from the dorsal, they become colder and more dense, and eventually sink under continental plates or collide with other oceanic plates in what is known as subduction zones.

One of the most interesting aspects of oceanic dorsal is that they are associated with intense volcanic activity. Throughout these underwater ridges, volcanoes and fissures are formed where the magma emerges to the surface. This results in the eruption of Lava and the creation of new volcanic structures, such as cones and hydrothermal chimneys.

Oceanic dorsals also have a crucial role in the circulation of the oceans. Seawater infiltrates the rock rocks through cracks and fissures, and then heated by nearby magma. This hot water rises back to the surface, creating oceanic currents that transport nutrients and heat throughout the ocean, influencing the global climate. Here you can read about the distribution and dynamics of oceanic waters.

These are the most important oceanic dorsal in the world:

• Mesoatlántic Dorsal: This is one of the best known oceanic dorsals and extends along the Atlantic, dividing it into two halves. The Mesoatlántic dorsal is especially famous because it was in this region where the theory of continental drift and plaque tectonics by Alfred Wegener in the twentieth century was proposed for the first time. In addition, in this dorsal is the Rift Valley, an impressive geological failure with valleys and underwater mountains.
• Eastern Pacific Norsal: Located in the Pacific Ocean, this dorsal is the longest in the world and extends from Antarctica to the Gulf of California. It is known for being one of the most intense volcanic activity zones, with numerous submarine volcanoes and hydrothermal chimneys. It is also the location of the deepest point of the ocean, the Mariana pit.
• Arctic Dorsal: The Arctic Dorsal is found in the Arctic Ocean and extends through the waters surrounding Iceland and the Faroe Islands. It is one of the youngest dorsals and shows a significant volcanic and seismic activity. In addition, hydrothermal sources have been discovered in this area that house a rich biodiversity and unique species adapted to extreme conditions.
• Southwest Indian Ocean Dorsal: This oceanic dorsal is located in the southwest of the Indian Ocean, near the coast of Africa. It is known for its association with the hot point of the meeting, where the famous Python of Fournise volcano is located. Volcanic activity in this dorsal has resulted in the formation of volcanic islands, such as the Mascareñas Islands.

Now that you have learned more about oceanic dorsals, we recommend reading this other ecology article about the oceanic crust: what is and characteristics.

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