Question

1. one theory about how plate tectonics occur is called ridge push. to what does this refer? a force causing plates to move away as new magma rises up and forms new ocean crust a force that rips plates apart and causes rock to return to the mantle a force causing plates to collide with each other at the mid - ocean ridge a force causing plates to enter the mantle at the mid - ocean ridge

Explanation:

Ridge - push is a mechanism in plate tectonics. When new magma rises up at mid - ocean ridges, it forms new oceanic crust. This new crust pushes the existing plates away from the ridge.

• Option 1: This correctly describes ridge - push as a force causing plates to move away as new magma rises up and forms new ocean crust.
• Option 2: Ridge - push is about new crust formation and plate separation (not about rock returning to the mantle in the way described).
• Option 3: Ridge - push is not about plate collision. Plate collision is a different tectonic process (e.g., convergent boundaries).
• Option 4: Plates do not enter the mantle at mid - ocean ridges (they enter at subduction zones).

Answer:

a force causing plates to move away as new magma rises up and forms new ocean crust