What happens at an oceanic continental divergent boundary?
When two oceanic plates diverge, underwater ridges and mountain ranges form, such as the mid-Atlantic Ridge. Eventually these mountain ranges can rise above the water to form islands. When two continental plates diverge, great rift valleys can form.
What is formed at oceanic continental divergent plate boundaries?
When two plates are moving away from each other, we call this a divergent plate boundary. Along these boundaries, magma rises from deep within the Earth and erupts to form new crust on the lithosphere. Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges.
Is there an oceanic continental divergent boundary?
There are two types of divergent boundaries, categorized by where they occur: continental rift zones and mid-ocean ridges. A mid-ocean ridge usually originates in a continental plate as a rift zone that expands to the point of splitting the plate apart, with seawater filling in the gap.
What is the difference between oceanic and continental divergent boundaries?
Oceanic plates are formed by divergent plate boundaries. These zones, located along mid-ocean ridges, represent areas where upwelling magma creates new oceanic crust. Continental plates, meanwhile, are formed primarily by convergent plate boundaries.
What are examples of divergent boundaries?
Examples
- Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
- Red Sea Rift.
- Baikal Rift Zone.
- East African Rift.
- East Pacific Rise.
- Gakkel Ridge.
- Galapagos Rise.
- Explorer Ridge.
Why can’t you make a divergent oceanic continental boundary?
The reason there will never be a divergent boundary (meaning spreading apart making it likely for magma to reach the Earth’s surface, and creating an oceanic ridge) is because continental crust is more dense than oceanic crust. The oceanic crust will always diverge beneath the continental because it is less dense.
Which of the following is the best example of divergent boundaries?
Perhaps the best known of the divergent boundaries is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This submerged mountain range, which extends from the Arctic Ocean to beyond the southern tip of Africa, is but one segment of the global mid-ocean ridge system that encircles the Earth.
What is an example of a continental divergent boundary?
Iceland is an example of a country undergoing a continental divergent boundary. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge divides Iceland and is the boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. When divergent boundaries occur under continental plates, they form a rift valley .
What does a divergent boundary look like?
this what a divergent boundary would look like in action. divergent plate boundaries. Mid-ocean ridges located along divergent plate boundaries. A divergent boundary forms where two plates separate. When the seafloor spread at a mid-ocean ridge, lava erupts, cools, and forms new oceanic crust.
Where would a divergent boundary occur?
A divergent boundary is a place where the convection currents in the mantle move upwards. This upwelling of magma splits and push the earth’s crust apart. Divergent boundaries occur at the mid ocean ridges.
What causes divergent boundaries?
Divergent boundaries occur where plates are spreading apart. This spreading is caused by convective forces in the molten magma below them. As they slowly spread apart, this fluid basalt lava fills the gap and quickly solidifies, forming new oceanic crust.