Question

1. what happens at a divergent boundary involving 2 oceanic plates? what features are formed at this boundary? your answer

Explanation:

At this tectonic boundary, the two oceanic plates move away from each other. This movement creates a gap that allows molten mantle material (magma) to rise upward. The magma cools and solidifies when it contacts seawater, forming new oceanic crust. Over time, the repeated upwelling and solidification builds underwater mountain ranges, and the gap itself forms a narrow, deep rift zone. Additionally, the volcanic activity can create submarine volcanoes that may grow into island chains over millions of years.

Answer:

1. Geologic process: The two oceanic tectonic plates move apart from one another. Molten magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap created by the separating plates, and cools to form new oceanic crust.
2. Formed features:

• Mid-ocean ridges (underwater mountain ranges)
• Oceanic rift valleys (the narrow, deep gap between the diverging plates)
• Submarine volcanoes (which may eventually form oceanic island chains)
• New oceanic crust (the youngest crust on Earth, found at the ridge)