What is a key characteristic of the ocean floor as one moves away from mid-ocean ridges?

The ocean floor exhibits a key characteristic of increasing depth and density as one moves away from mid-ocean ridges. This phenomenon is primarily linked to the process of seafloor spreading that occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates diverge and new oceanic crust is formed from magma. As the newly formed crust moves away from the ridge, it cools and ages, leading to an increase in density due to the contraction of the rock material as it loses heat.

Additionally, the oceanic crust is composed predominantly of basalt, which is denser than the underlying mantle. As the distance from the mid-ocean ridge increases, the crust continues to cool and sinks lower into the mantle, resulting in a greater water depth above it. This trend is a fundamental aspect of plate tectonics and is supported by various geological studies and measurements taken across oceanic environments.