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Visit the Interactive Plate Boundary Map to explore satellite images of divergent boundaries between oceanic plates. Two locations are marked: 1) the Mid-Atlantic Ridge exposed above sea level on the island of Iceland, and 2) the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Africa.
In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other.
A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other. Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock) rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust.
Mar 7, 2024 · A divergent plate boundary often forms a mountain chain known as a ridge. This feature forms as magma escapes into the space between the spreading tectonic plates.
At divergent boundaries, sometimes called constructive boundaries, lithospheric plates move away from each other. There are two types of divergent boundaries, categorized by where they occur: continental rift zones and mid-ocean ridges.
Movement in narrow zones along plate boundaries causes most earthquakes. Most seismic activity occurs at three types of plate boundaries—divergent, convergent, and transform. As the plates move past each other, they sometimes get caught and pressure builds up.
Divergent boundaries are spreading boundaries, where new oceanic crust is created to fill in the space as the plates move apart. Most divergent boundaries are located along mid-ocean oceanic ridges (although some are on land).
Divergent Plate Boundaries. A divergent plate boundary is when two plates move away from each other under tensional stress. The oceanic crust becomes thin, and cracks open up fissures. Magma moves up to the surface through these fissures and solidifies, creating new oceanic crust.
Divergent plate boundaries, where Earth's plates move apart, create unique geological features. These boundaries result in seafloor spreading, rift valleys, volcanoes, and earthquakes. The process begins with hot magma rising, causing the lithosphere to crack and form rift valleys.
Divergent Plate Boundaries. At divergent plate margins, plates are moving apart and new lithosphere is being created. In the oceans, this has produced the mid ocean ridge system, which can also be described as a global range of underwater mountains.
