Final answer:
The rate of seafloor spreading at Point Z can be determined using the given information. If Point Z is 300 kilometers from the crest of the mid-ocean ridge, we can use the formula Rate = Distance / Time. In this case, the time would be the time it takes for the seafloor to spread 300 kilometers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rate of seafloor spreading at Point Z can be determined using the given information. If Point Z is 300 kilometers from the crest of the mid-ocean ridge, we can use the formula Rate = Distance / Time. In this case, the time would be the time it takes for the seafloor to spread 300 kilometers.
From the given information, we know that the average separation rates of active rift zones is about 5 centimeters per year. To convert this to kilometers, we divide by 100,000 (since there are 100,000 centimeters in a kilometer).
So, the rate of seafloor spreading at Point Z would be 300 kilometers divided by the separation rate of 5 centimeters per year (or 5/100,000 kilometers per year).