Fracture zones are cracks on the ocean floor that horizontally offset mid-ocean ridges, Fracture zones typically run perpendicular to mid-ocean ridges. The diagram below shows two tectonic plates moving apart
. One plate is dark blue, and the other is light blue. Several fracture zones are shown at
places where parts of the same tectonic plate are moving in the same direction but at different speeds.
ridge
fault
fracture
zone
fracture
zone
Plate Motion
mid-oceani
ridge
Plate Motion
fault
fracture
zone
fracture
zone
+
ridge
The study of the location of fracture zones has provided evidence to support the theory of plate tectonics because
fracture zones indicate the locations of once-active underwater faults.
A.