Florian wrote:
Sorry, but oceans are not carved. They exist because the growth rate is so fast for 200 My that the mantle get directly exposed to the surface, partially melts and forms basaltic crust.
Florian,
There is room for an alternative view of the mid-ocean ridges. They could be electrical scars. 3 reasons--
1. The paleomagnetic striping on the sea floor is assumed to be proof of the magma welling up and growing the sea floor. However, if powerful electric bolts are responsible for reversing earth's magnetic poles, than I think the discharge that carved the ocean basins could have been simultaneously playing havoc with N and S and leaving the same record.
2. If the mid-ocean ridges maintain parallel sides, it does not necessarily mean that they were at one time joined and then split apart. It can also be the result of electrical scarring.
3. Scarring comparable to the mid-ocean ridges can be found on Enceladus.
The so-called "tiger stripe" terrain, out of which jet plumes of warm water vapor, are most likely manifesting a weaker version of the massive electrical activity that once carved and punctured Enceladus with magnetically confined plasma beams. (see picture)
http://www.thunderbolts.info/tpod/2009/ ... 007sky.htm
For me it all boils down to whether the ridges are growing are not. I think there are good arguments both ways. Would welcome a look at the thread if you have covered that already.