Divergent boundaries occur when tectonic plates move apart from each other. This movement allows magma from the mantle to rise to the surface, creating a variety of landforms. Two prominent landforms associated with divergent boundaries are:
- Mid-Ocean Ridges: These underwater mountain ranges form as tectonic plates pull apart, allowing magma to rise, solidify, and create new oceanic crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a prime example, running down the center of the Atlantic Ocean and contributing to the separation of the Eurasian and North American plates.
- Rift Valleys: These are large elongated depressions that form on land in regions where tectonic plates are moving apart. As the crust thins and breaks, it sinks, leading to the creation of rift valleys such as the East African Rift System. This phenomenon can result in significant geological activity, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
In summary, mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys are two important landforms that result from the geological processes at divergent boundaries.