How did ocean floor mapping provide evidence to support continental drift?

Ocean floor mapping revealed key features such as mid-ocean ridges, deep-sea trenches, and patterns of magnetic striping, which provided critical evidence for continental drift. The discovery of mid-ocean ridges indicated that new oceanic crust is formed as tectonic plates diverge, supporting the idea that continents move apart over time. Additionally, symmetrical patterns of magnetic reversals on either side of the ridges showed that the ocean floor is created and spreads outward, reinforcing the theory of plate tectonics. These findings collectively demonstrated the dynamic nature of the Earth's surface and the movement of continents.