Monday: Science
What is the name of the boundary between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other?
Hint: This type of tectonic boundary is responsible for creating mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys as plates move in opposite directions.
Divergent boundary is a type of tectonic plate boundary where two plates move away from each other, creating new crust in the process.
These boundaries are primarily found along mid-ocean ridges, such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where magma rises from beneath the Earth's surface, solidifies, and gradually pushes the plates apart. On land, divergent boundaries can form rift valleys, like the East African Rift, where the Earth's crust is slowly being pulled apart. This process plays a crucial role in shaping the planet’s surface by driving seafloor spreading and continental rifting. Over millions of years, divergent boundaries contribute to the dynamic nature of Earth's lithosphere, continuously generating new geological formations and influencing seismic activity.
What about the other answers?
Convergent Boundary: Sounds similar but actually refers to plates moving toward each other.
Transform Boundary: A real tectonic boundary type, but it involves plates sliding past each other rather than moving apart.
Subduction Zone: Occurs at convergent boundaries where one plate moves under another, not where they move apart.
