Divergent Plate Boundaries - oc-oc

What way do divergent plates move?

They move away from eachother in opposite directions.

What happens when plates move away from eachother?

New crust is formed by molten magma.

Give an example of a divergent margin

The oceanic-oceanic mid-Atlantic ridge. This creates new oceanic crust.

What do oceanic-oceanic plates diverging create?

Produce an extensive ocean ridge system, comprising of underwater mountains and volcanoes, that stretch for nearly 65,000 kilometres.

What can ocean ridge systems be called?

Names differ based on location.

e.g. Mid-Atlantic ridge, East Pacific Rise.

How high is the mid-Atlantic ridge (MAR)?

About 3km in height above seafloor, and between 1,000 and 1,500km wide.

What is there along the MAR?

Numerous transform faults and an axial rift valley.

These regular breaks cut across the ridges.

How do faults occur?

At right angles to the plate boundary, separating sections of the ridge.

How do faults differ?

They may widen at different rates, leading to frictional stresses building up, with shallow-focus earthquakes (focus less than 70km) releasing the tension.

What can volcanic eruptions along ocean ridges create?

Submarine volcanoes. Over time they may grow to rise above sea level, creating volcanic islands.