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Divergent Plate Boundaries Explained

Divergent plate boundaries occur where tectonic plates are moving away from each other, forming mid-ocean ridges under the ocean and rift valleys on continents. There are two types: continental rift zones form in weak spots on continents, while mid-ocean ridges occur at ocean boundaries and create new seafloor through volcanic eruptions as the plates separate. Divergent boundaries are characterized by the movement of plates away from each other and the formation of new crust through magma filling the gap between separating plates.

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25 views11 pages

Divergent Plate Boundaries Explained

Divergent plate boundaries occur where tectonic plates are moving away from each other, forming mid-ocean ridges under the ocean and rift valleys on continents. There are two types: continental rift zones form in weak spots on continents, while mid-ocean ridges occur at ocean boundaries and create new seafloor through volcanic eruptions as the plates separate. Divergent boundaries are characterized by the movement of plates away from each other and the formation of new crust through magma filling the gap between separating plates.

Uploaded by

John Van Dave Taturo
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Science

Divergence of Plates
A Powerpoint presentation prepared by:

Cabreros, A.M.

Hechanova, H.J.
Introduction
In plate tectonics, a divergent
boundary or divergent plate boundary
is a linear feature that exists between
two tectonic plates that are moving
away from each other. Divergent
boundaries within continents initially
produce rifts, which eventually
become rift valleys.
What is Divergent Plate Boundary and
its physical features?
In plate tectonics, a Divergent Plate Boundary (also known as Constructive
Boundary or an Extensional Boundary), is a linear feature that exists
between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. Within
continents, it initially produce rifts which eventually become rift valleys.

It is also stated that most active divergent plate boundaries occur between
oceanic plates and exist as mid-oceanic ridges. Most divergent boundaries
are situated along underwater mountain ranges called oceanic ridges. As the
plates separate, new materials from the mantle ooze up to fill the gap. These
materials will slowly cool to produce new ocean floor.
Example of Divergent Boundaries
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of a divergent
boundary where the Eurasian plate that covers all of
Europe separates from the North American Plate. Although
the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is mostly an underwater feature,
portions of it have enough elevation to extend above sea
level, for example in Iceland. The ridge has an average
spreading rate of about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) per year.
Rift Valley and Mid-Ocean Ridge

Rift Valley is a lowland region that forms where Earth's tectonic

plates move apart, or rift. Rift valleys are found both on land and

at the bottom of the ocean, where they are created by the process of

seafloor spreading.

Mid-ocean ridges occur along divergent plate boundaries where

new ocean floor is created as the Earth's tectonic plates spread

apart. As the plates separate, molten rock rises to the seafloor,

producing enormous volcanic eruptions of basalt.


What are the two types of Divergent
Plate Boundary?

There are two types of divergent boundaries


categorized by where they occur:
Continental Rift Zones and Mid-Ocean
Ridges.
Continental Rift Zones

Occurs in weak spots in the continental

lithospheric Plate.

An example of a continental rift zone

includes; he East African Rift, the Baikal

Rift Valley, the West Antarctic Rift, and

the Rio Grande Rift are Earth's major

active continental rift valleys.


Mid-Ocean Ridges
It occurs along divergent plate boundaries where new
ocean floor is created as the Earth’s tectonic plate
spread apart. As the plates separate, molten rock rises
to the seafloor, producing enormous volcanic
eruptions of basalt.
Characteristics of Divergent Boundaries

• Two tectonic plates move away from each other


and magma fills the gap to create new crust.

• If the divergence is between two oceanic plates,


underwater mountains or ridges form.

• If the divergence is between two continental


plates, it forms rift valleys.
Questions:

[Link] are the two types of


divergent boundaries?

[Link] at least 2 characteristics of a


divergent plate boundary.

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