Plate tectonics and the ocean floor.
The process of creating a new ocean floor is called.
Bathymetry the shape of the ocean floor is largely a result of a process called plate tectonics the outer rocky layer of the earth includes about a dozen large sections called tectonic plates that are arranged like a spherical jig saw puzzle floating on top of the earth s hot flowing mantle.
On the other hand the older ocean floor that is pushed away from the ridge will be pushed down into the trenches of the earth through the process called subduction.
The hardened lava forms new ocean floor.
The red sea has not yet completely split arabia from africa but a similar feature can be found on the other side of africa that has broken completely free.
The lava will then wells up and hardens causing the ocean floor to be pushed away from either side of the ridge.
The magnetism of mid ocean ridges helped scientists first identify the process of seafloor spreading in the early 20th century.