The movement of the Earth's crust away from a mid-ocean ridge is primarily due to seafloor spreading. As magma rises from the mantle at the ridge, it cools and solidifies to form new oceanic crust, pushing the older crust outward on either side of the ridge. This process occurs continuously, contributing to the dynamic nature of plate tectonics and the creation of new ocean floor. Consequently, the movement results in the gradual widening of ocean basins over geological time.
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