Is the African Plate Convergent or Divergent?

The African Plate is primarily considered a divergent tectonic plate. This is because it is situated on the African Rift, where it is slowly splitting into two parts: the Somali Plate and the Nubian Plate. This rifting process occurs as tectonic forces pull the plates apart, creating new oceanic crust in the process.

In contrast, convergent boundaries are where tectonic plates collide, often leading to the formation of mountain ranges or subduction zones. While parts of the African Plate do experience convergent interactions with surrounding plates, the dominant feature of the African Plate is its divergence along the rift system. Therefore, when considering the overall movement of the African Plate, it is primarily categorized as a divergent plate.

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