What is another word for seafloor spreading?
Pronunciation: [sˈiːflɔː spɹˈɛdɪŋ] (IPA) 
Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed through the upwelling of magma at mid-ocean ridges. There are a variety of synonyms for this phenomenon, including mid-oceanic ridge spreading, oceanic spreading, plate tectonic spreading, and rift valley spreading. These terms all describe the same process, in which tectonic plates move apart and magma rises to fill the gap between them. This results in the formation of new seafloor and the expansion of the ocean basin. Synonyms for seafloor spreading are commonly used in scientific literature and discussions about plate tectonics and earth science.
