Define ridge push

Ridge push is a geological process that occurs at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates are being formed. As magma rises to create new oceanic crust, it pushes older crust away from the ridge, contributing to plate movement. This force arises from the elevation of the ridge compared to the surrounding ocean floor, causing the gravitational sliding of the elevated material. Ridge push is one of the driving forces behind plate tectonics, alongside slab pull and mantle convection.