Tag: oceanic crust
How is a new ocean born?
On Earth, no ocean is more than 200 million years old, testifying to the great cyclicity of tectonic processes. Very regularly, some oceans close while others open up. But how…
What is the composition of the oceanic crust?
The oceanic crust is one of the two components of the earth’s crust. Very different from continental crust, it is continuously formed at mid-ocean ridges. However, its composition is very…
Plate tectonics: for continents too, rupture can be difficult
Continental breakup is one of the fundamental processes of plate tectonics. While some continents seem to accept divorce quite easily, breaking up is much more difficult for others. You will…
For the continents too, the break can be difficult
Continental breakup is one of the fundamental processes of plate tectonics. While some continents seem to accept divorce quite easily, breaking up is much more difficult for others. You will…
Bacteria in hydrothermal vents are great energy powerhouses
Some hypotheses suggest that life appeared at the bottom of the oceans at hydrothermal vents. The bacteria currently observed there are based on methanogenesis, a process that releases energy if…
The Exploratorium: the mysteries of the seabed revealed by satellites
How are seabed maps constructed? While bathymetric data acquired by boat is essential, the development of satellite altimetry has revolutionized our knowledge of this world buried under water. You will…
Accretion prism: what is it?
A prism ofaccretion represents a structure of tectonic origin linked to the accumulation of sediments at the level of a subduction. Scaling and sediment build-up In subduction zones, the oceanic…
How a continent opened up influences the location of future subduction zones
A new study provides a better understanding of where and how subduction zones are initiated, a major stage in the Wilson cycle. It appears that the tectonic and magmatic heritage…