Formation of a Mid-Ocean Ridge

Plates pulling apart

Divergent tectonic plates moving away from each other at ocean boundaries.

Fissure formation

Cracks and fractures that open up in the Earth's crust as plates separate.

Magma rising

Molten rock from the mantle that wells up through crustal fissures to fill the gap.

Solidification

The cooling and hardening of magma upon contact with cold ocean water to form new crust.

Ridge formation

The continuous accumulation of solidified basalt that builds underwater mountain chains over time.

Volcanic islands (Iceland)

Mid-ocean ridges that rise above sea level due to exceptional volcanic activity, such as Iceland.