Divergent Plate Boundaries
Divergent plate boundaries are locations where two tectonic plates move away from each other. As the plates separate, magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap and solidifies as new oceanic crust. This process is called seafloor spreading and occurs primarily at mid-ocean ridges.
Real World
Iceland sits directly on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge where the North American and Eurasian plates diverge at roughly 2.5 cm per year, giving the country abundant geothermal energy that heats 90% of its homes.
Exam Focus
Distinguish between oceanic divergence (mid-ocean ridges) and continental divergence (rift valleys) — examiners reward precise examples.
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