# Undersea Observatory Captures Seafloor Spreading Event in Real Time

Scientists used an undersea observatory to directly record a seafloor spreading event, capturing the process with seismogeodetic instruments. The observations provide unprecedented detail on how tectonic plates pull apart, a fundamental process that shapes Earth's surface. This breakthrough helps improve models of earthquake and volcanic activity along mid-ocean ridges.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### Science
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10785-0) — 2026-07-08
- [Nature](https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01943-5) — 2026-07-08