Which describes how the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean changes over time?(1 point)
Responses
The Atlantic Ocean is growing smaller, while the Pacific Ocean is getting larger.
The Atlantic Ocean is growing smaller, while the Pacific Ocean is getting larger.
Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are getting larger.
Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are getting larger.
Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are getting smaller.
Both the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are getting smaller.
The Atlantic Ocean is getting larger, while the Pacific Ocean is getting smaller.
The Atlantic Ocean is getting larger, while the Pacific Ocean is getting smaller.
None of the given options accurately describe how the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean change over time.
The correct response is: The Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are getting larger.
The correct answer is "The Atlantic Ocean is getting larger, while the Pacific Ocean is getting smaller."
To understand how the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean change over time, you can look at the process of plate tectonics. The Earth's lithosphere is composed of several large plates that can move and interact with each other. In this case, the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean are affected by the movement of the tectonic plates.
In the Atlantic Ocean, the seafloor is spreading apart along a mid-ocean ridge called the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This process is known as seafloor spreading, where new oceanic crust is formed at the ridge, pushing the existing crust away. As a result, the Atlantic Ocean is getting wider or larger over time.
On the other hand, in the Pacific Ocean, there are several tectonic plate boundaries that are causing the Pacific Ocean to get smaller. Along the western coast of North and South America, the Pacific Plate is colliding with the North American and South American Plates, causing subduction. Subduction is the process where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another into the Earth's mantle. This subduction zone is responsible for the formation of mountain ranges like the Andes and the Cascade Range.
Therefore, as the Pacific Plate subducts beneath the continental plates, the Pacific Ocean is getting smaller in size over time.
In summary, the Atlantic Ocean is getting larger due to seafloor spreading at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, while the Pacific Ocean is getting smaller due to subduction along its tectonic plate boundaries.