The Atlantic is between Europe and North America, and Africa and South America.

The Atlantic has been formed by tectonic spreading at the Atlantic Ridge, where the ocean floor is literally growing. Molten material thrusts its way up from the interior of the earth, creating new crust along this ridge. This forces the edges of the ridge apart, widening the ocean basin. This pushes Europe and Africa, and North and South America farther apart. Don't worry, though. The distance is less than a centimeter a year.

The Atlantic is probably the most studied ocean, yet we are still learning vast amounts each year.

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Original content copyright 1995-2007 Robert B. Hole, Jr. All Rights Reserved