In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. A divergent boundary is one of the plate tectonics. The Red Sea and the Dead Sea are thought to have been formed by the same divergent boundary.ĭivergent boundaries, create mid ocean ridges, undersea volcanos, islands, rift valleys and new oceans. Continental-continental divergent/constructive boundary. Divergent boundary - a divergent boundary forms when two plates diverge or move away from each other. The Rift Valley in East Africa is the result of a divergent boundary (image below).
This was part of the evidence that convinced Scientists that the theory of (Continental Drift) Plate tectonics was correct.ĭivergent boundaries also create Rift Valleys and new oceans. However in Iceland the the volcanos reach the surface forming the Island chain.Īs the crust is pushed in two different directions it forms magnetic strips that are reflective and symmetrical on both sides of the Mid Atlantic ridge. vergent plate boundary (d-vrjnt) A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new crust is forming from magma that rises to the Earth's surface between the two plates.
Many of these volcanos are undersea volcanos forming the mid Atlantic ridge. The Mid Atlantic Ridge creates volcanos where the hot magma erupts from the underlining mantle. But if these huge masses of crust are moving apart, what happens in the space left. Molten rock from the mantle erupts along the opening, forming new crust. This causes the crust to separate into two different pieces.Īn example of a divergent boundary is the mid Atlantic Ridge (there are mid ocean ridges in the Indian, and Pacific Oceans as well). At divergent boundaries, tectonic plates are moving away from each other. Divergent (Spreading):This is where two plates move away from each other. As the convection current comes to the surface it also moves outward in both directions (see image below). Most of these tectonic plate boundaries are located on the floor of the oceans. At divergent boundaries new crustal material is brought to the surface. A divergent boundary is an area where two crustal plates are separating.