Divergent plate boundaries, also called midocean ridges, oceanic spreading centers or continental rifts, occur where the earths tectonic plates move away from each other. Divergent definition in the cambridge english dictionary. Divergent plate boundary dictionary definition divergent plate. In terms of plate tectonics, collision boundaries are sites where lithospheric plates move together and the resulting compression causes either subduction where one or both lithospheric plates are driven down and destroyed in the molten mantle or crustal uplifting that results in orogeny mountain building. Little by little, as new molten rock erupts at the mor, the newly created oceanic plate moves away from the ridge where it was created. The areas where these plates meet are known as plate boundaries. Where two plates are moving alongside one another, they form a transform boundary. The middle of the red sea and the midocean ridge running the length of the atlantic ocean are divergent plate boundaries. The boundary regions between plates are aptly called plate boundaries. Divergent boundary definition of divergent boundary by the. Divergent plate boundary in terms of plate tectonics, divergent boundaries are areas under tension where lithospheric plates are pushed apart by magma upwelling from the mantle. We define marine transform faults as strikeslip or oblique faults that accommodate lateral offsets along. Divergence or separation of two plates occurs due to convection currents in the earths upper mantle.
Here, convection in the mantle and asthenosphere, pictured below, brings fresh, hot, basaltic magma toward the surface. Learn plate tectonics divergent boundaries with free interactive flashcards. Remember that divergent boundaries are where two plates are moving away from one another. At divergent boundaries, lithospheric plates move apart and crust is created. Convergent, divergent, transform boundaries worksheet tpt. The mountains that you see in the photographs could not have been there if. The rising current pushes up on the bottom of the lithosphere, lifting it and flowing laterally beneath it.
The mountains that you see in the photographs could not have been there if there hasnt been a divergent boundary. The san andreas fault is one of the best examples of lateral plate motion. Valleys are, by definition, surrounded by mountains. Sep 10, 2009 the boundary regions between plates are aptly called plate boundaries. Illustration of the main types of plate boundaries 55 k divergent boundaries divergent boundaries occur along spreading centers where plates are moving apart and new crust is created by magma pushing up from the mantle. Plate boundaries definition, types and quiz science terms. Most commonly this is the case at midoceanic ridges, where two oceanic plates move apart.
It has been growing for the last 2225 million years and is where the african plate is separating into two new plates. Take the next page and fold paper in along the dotted line. A divergent boundary is an area where two crustal plates are separating. Unlike convergent boundaries, divergence occurs between only oceanic or only. Plate tectonics and the location of mineral deposits free. As the ocean plate splits, the ridge forms at the spreading center, the ocean basin expands, and finally, the plate area increases causing many small volcanoes andor shallow. On the inside, draw a picture and describe and define each situation using the understanding plate. In terms of plate tectonics, collision boundaries are sites where lithospheric plates move together and the resulting compression causes either subduction where one or both lithospheric plates are driven down and destroyed in the molten mantle or crustal uplifting that results in orogeny mountain building colliding plates create tremendous force. Plate tectonics and the location of mineral deposits. Brian lazos plate tectonics project plate tectonics tectonic plates plates sectioned of earths crust and mantle that move across the earth as stated. Divergent definition of divergent by merriamwebster.
Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts, which eventually become rift valleys. In this worksheet, students fill out information about the three types of plate boundaries. Sep 03, 20 as new plate material is being formed continuously, and the excess is melted into magma, the earths rocky crust is constantly recycled. Divergent plate boundaries are locations where plates are moving away from one another. Transform faults connecting two divergent plate boundaries in oceans ridgeridge type maintain their. The topographic features that develop at this boundary are due to extension of the plate boundaries which causes rifting in continental and oceanic crusts strahler, 2011, 419. Then cut two slits from the edge to the fold along the dark lines as shown in the diagram. Another example of a divergent plate is at the african major plate where it. A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new. The midatlantic ridge is a classic example of this type of plate boundary. These divergent plate boundaries can occur between continental plates, oceanic plates or a combination of both.
Divergent boundaries constructive occur where two plates slide apart from each other. Because plates pull apart from each other at divergent plates, lava spews out to create the youngest geological rocks on earth. Feb, 2016 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. A divergent boundary is an area where 2 plates are moving apart. At zones of oceantoocean rifting, divergent boundaries form by seafloor spreading, allowing for the formation of new ocean basin. Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma molten rock. Because plates pull apart from each other at divergent plates, lava spews out to create the youngest geological rocks on. Divergent double subduction abbreviated to dds, also called as outward dipping doublesided subduction is a special type of subduction system where two parallel subduction zones with different directions are developed on the same oceanic plate. At divergent plate margins, plates are moving apart and new lithosphere is being created. They are unusual in shape because they contain both oceanic and continental crust. The first way two cars can move relative to each other is in divergent directions, like passing a car going the other way. For each boundary, students must figure out what happens to the plates, what landforms are produced, and whether earthquakes are created.
Convergent boundary, divergent boundary and transform boundary are the three types of boundaries that form due to plate tectonic movement. There are three different types of tectonic plate boundaries, which are defined by the relative motion of each plate. Early in the twentieth century, a scientist named alfred wegener proposed that the continents had once been attached to one another, forming a single. In terms of plate tectonics, divergent boundaries are areas under tension where lithospheric plates are pushed apart by magma upwelling from the mantle. Divergent plate boundaries cause rifting, and the geomorphological expression of a rift is a valley. Plate boundary zones broad belts in which boundaries are not well defined and the effects of plate interaction are unclear. What are the different types of plate tectonic boundaries. A divergent boundary is a fault where the two plates are moving away from each other. The african rift valley in east africa is an example of this occurrence.
Here, fresh, hot, basaltic magma is brought toward the surface forming new, rigid lithosphere as. Divergent definition is moving or extending in different directions from a common point. Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts which produce rift valleys, whereas divergent boundaries between oceanic plates create. The three types of plate boundaries are divergent, convergent, and transform. Divergent boundary synonyms, divergent boundary pronunciation, divergent boundary translation, english dictionary definition of divergent boundary. Divergent plate boundary definition of divergent plate. Transform plate boundaries and fracture zones sciencedirect. These mountains exist because of the plate movement. Definition of divergent boundary in the dictionary. Facts about the divergent plate boundary explained with a. Divergence or separation of two plates occurs due to convection currents in the earths upper mantle or asthenosphere.
The weaknesses in the crust allow molten lava to move toward the earths surface on the ocean. Divergent or constructive plate boundaries the plates diverge and this causes the construction of new rock. The east african rift is a continental divergent boundary in east africa. A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new crust is forming from magma that rises to the earths surface between the two plates. Topographical features at divergent and convergent plate. When this happens the magma from the mantle rises up to make or construct new land in the form of a shield volcano. Divergent plate boundaries are where two plates are moving apart from one another ritter, 2012. Choose from 500 different sets of plate tectonics divergent boundaries flashcards on quizlet. The ridge is a high area compared to the surrounding seafloor because of the lift from. Definition and meaning of divergent plate boundary the zone where two tectonic plates move away from each other is called the divergent plate boundary. In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each. Describes a noun or pronounfor example, a tall girl, an interesting book, a big house. Plate tectonics begin at midoceanic ridges where plates are moving apart. Places where plates are coming apart are called divergent boundaries also.
Definition of convergent boundary in the dictionary. The result is upwelling magma from the mantle that creates new oceanic crust. These plate boundaries can occur both within continents and under oceans. The shortest ones that geologists have been able to define lasted only a few thousand. Plates move apart at divergent plate boundaries such as the oceanic ridge system that separates the north american and eurasian plates in the north atlantic ocean. A divergent boundary is one of the plate tectonics.
Divergent boundaries exist where tectonic plates move apart from each other. The farther the plate gets from the ridge that created it, the colder and denser. 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. This material is also available as a free ibooks textbook and itunes u course. In this lesson, were going to cover the mineral resources that we find at each of these plate environments. In this lesson, you will learn the meaning of the term divergent boundary in the context of plate tectonics. The separating plates form rift valleys on the ocean floor where there are weaknesses in the crust. As new plate material is being formed continuously, and the excess is melted into magma, the earths rocky crust is constantly recycled. Information and translations of convergent boundary in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.
At a divergent plate boundary, the plates move apart from one another. Each type of plate boundary has distinctive mineral deposits associated with it. In the theory of plate tectonics, the earths crust is broken into plates that move around relative to each other. Based upon their motions with respect to one another, these plate boundaries are of three kinds. Lithospheric plates are regions of earths crust and upper mantle that are fractured into plates that move across a deeper plasticine mantle. It happens when two tectonic plates pull apart and rock from the mantle rises up through the opening to form new surface rock when.
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. Lithospheric plates are regions of earth s crust and upper mantle that are fractured into plates that move across a deeper plasticine mantle. A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new crust is forming from magma that rises to the earths surface between the two. Divergent boundary definition of divergent boundary by. Oceanic plates are born at mors where molten rock rises from the mantle, cools and solidifies. Here, fresh, hot, basaltic magma is brought toward the surface forming new, rigid lithosphere as it cools.
Plate boundaries can be divergent, convergent and transform. On the outer flap, label the three types of plate boundaries. Where two plates are moving away from each other, they form a divergent plate boundary. A plate tectonics flip book answers schoolworkhelper. The earth has 70,000 km of continuous volcanoes under the ocean.
Plates crash into each other along convergent plate boundaries marked by volcanoes and mountain belts. This lateral flow causes the plate material above to be dragged along in the direction of flow. Most of these tectonic plate boundaries are located on the floor of the oceans. In the oceans, this has produced the mid ocean ridge system, which can also be described as a global range of underwater mountains. Subduction zones ring the pacific plate causing frequent. Most seismic activity occurs in the narrow zones between plates. Most divergent boundaries are located along midocean oceanic ridges although some are on land.
Plate tectonic picture book page 6 title divergent plate. A plate boundary is a location where two tectonic plates meet. Rift valleys develop when a continent is broken apart by a divergent boundary. Divergent boundary a divergent boundary forms when two plates diverge. A divergent boundary is a fault where the two plates are moving away. Information and translations of divergent boundary in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Divergent plate boundary definition at, a free online dictionary with pronunciation, synonyms and translation. English dictionary definition of divergent plate boundary. A tectonic boundary where two plates are moving away from each other and new crust is forming from magma that rises to. If plates are moving away from each other, they create a divergent plate boundary. When two continental plates converge the two interact to create mountain ranges. A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other.
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