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mid-ocean ridge

noun
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\ ˈmid-ˈō-shən- How to pronounce mid-ocean ridge (audio) \

Definition of mid-ocean ridge

: an elevated region with a central valley on an ocean floor at the boundary between two diverging tectonic plates where new crust forms from upwelling magma

Examples of mid-ocean ridge in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That could make more sense if mid-ocean ridge eruptions were pumping out extra CO2. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "End-Cretaceous asteroid impact seems to have juiced seafloor volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018 There are submarine volcanoes, along Earth's mid-ocean ridges, that have been erupting longer. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, "Hawaii volcano: The science behind the eruption of Kilauea," 7 May 2018 The mid-ocean ridges and dinosaurs continue their normal activity. — Smithsonian, "The Meteorite That Killed the Dinosaurs May Have Also Triggered Underwater Volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018 The mid-ocean ridges on the seafloor, however, keep records. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "End-Cretaceous asteroid impact seems to have juiced seafloor volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018 The mid-ocean ridges erupt large volumes of magma, while the Deccan Traps eruptions flood lava across much of the Indian subcontinent. — Smithsonian, "The Meteorite That Killed the Dinosaurs May Have Also Triggered Underwater Volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018 However, this is only true for the faster-spreading mid-ocean ridges of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. — Scott K. Johnson, Ars Technica, "End-Cretaceous asteroid impact seems to have juiced seafloor volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018 This phenomenon may have resulted from repeating pulses of volcanism along mid-ocean ridges, which previous research has linked to cycles of ice ages and warming. — Terri Cook, Scientific American, "Hunt for Flight MH370 Takes Searchers into Uncharted Territory," 1 July 2017 This new magma percolates its way to the surface and fuels nearly continuous volcanic activity along what are known as mid-ocean ridges. — Smithsonian, "The Meteorite That Killed the Dinosaurs May Have Also Triggered Underwater Volcanoes," 8 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mid-ocean ridge.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of mid-ocean ridge

1961, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of mid-ocean ridge was in 1961

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Cite this Entry

“Mid-ocean ridge.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mid-ocean%20ridge. Accessed 18 January 2020.

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