GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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).

Detailed explanation-2: -At oceanic divergent boundaries, new lithosphere is born hot and cools over millions of years. As it cools it shrinks, thus the fresh seafloor stands higher than the older lithosphere on either side. This is why divergent zones take the form of long, wide swells running along the ocean floor: mid-ocean ridges.

Detailed explanation-3: -Divergent boundaries are typified in the oceanic lithosphere by the rifts of the oceanic ridge system, including the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise, and in the continental lithosphere by rift valleys such as the famous East African Great Rift Valley.

Detailed explanation-4: -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-5: -Answer and Explanation: No, ocean trenches do not occur at divergent plate boundaries. They are formed at convergent boundaries.