Divergent Boundary
1) What is a divergent boundary?
Places where plates are coming apart are called divergent boundaries.
When the earth’s brittle surface layer (the lithosphere) is pulled apart, it typically breaks along parallel faults that tilt slightly outward from each other.
As the plates separate along the boundary, the block between the faults cracks and drops down into the soft, plastic interior (the asthenosphere).
2)Where are most divergent boundaries located?
Most divergent boundaries are found along the seafloor close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
3) What is causing the lithosphere to be pulled apart?
shown in the picture below, the lithosphere is being pulled apart
by the forces of the magma pushing the lithosphere to spread.
1) What is a divergent boundary?
Places where plates are coming apart are called divergent boundaries.
When the earth’s brittle surface layer (the lithosphere) is pulled apart, it typically breaks along parallel faults that tilt slightly outward from each other.
As the plates separate along the boundary, the block between the faults cracks and drops down into the soft, plastic interior (the asthenosphere).
2)Where are most divergent boundaries located?
Most divergent boundaries are found along the seafloor close to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
3) What is causing the lithosphere to be pulled apart?
shown in the picture below, the lithosphere is being pulled apart
by the forces of the magma pushing the lithosphere to spread.