GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mid-ocean ridges occur along divergent plate boundaries, where new ocean floor is created as the Earth’s tectonic plates spread apart. As the plates separate, molten rock rises to the seafloor, producing enormous volcanic eruptions of basalt.

Detailed explanation-2: -The mid-ocean ridge system is an example of a divergent (rather than a convergent or transform) plate boundary. Earthquakes are common at mid-ocean ridges since the movement of magma and oceanic crust results in crustal shaking.

Detailed explanation-3: -Perhaps the best known of the divergent boundaries is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This submerged mountain range, which extends from the Arctic Ocean to beyond the southern tip of Africa, is but one segment of the global mid-ocean ridge system that encircles the Earth.

Detailed explanation-4: -A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other. Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock) rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of divergent plate boundaries.

Detailed explanation-5: -Most divergent boundaries are located along mid-ocean oceanic ridges (although some are on land). The mid-ocean ridge system is a giant undersea mountain range, and is the largest geological feature on Earth; at 65, 000 km long and about 1000 km wide, it covers 23% of Earth’s surface (Figure 4.5. 1).