Lesson 9: Anatomy of mid-Ocean ridges

Lesson 9: Anatomy of mid-Ocean ridges

Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is located in the Atlantic Ocean. It has a slow spreading rate of about 2.5 centimeters per year. Slow spreading ridges have steep sloping flanks and the topography is rugged.  Fast moving ridges have gentler slopes and a smoother surface and can move more than 9 centimeters per year.

Another characteristic of this ridge is how old the crust gets the father away you get from the center. In ridges that have a fast moving rate, the crust on the outer edges may only be 3 million years old.