Divergent boundary — Science definition
A place where two tectonic plates move apart, allowing magma to rise and form new crust, as at a mid-ocean ridge.
Where it is taught
- Plate Boundaries — Earth’s Interior & Plate Tectonics, Earth & Space Science, Grade 9
Questions using divergent boundary
Problem 1
At a divergent boundary, plates...
- Move apart and new crust forms
- Collide and one plate sinks beneath the other
- Slide sideways past each other
- Stop moving entirely
Answer and explanation
Move apart and new crust forms
Divergent boundaries pull plates apart, letting magma rise up and cool into new crust.
Problem 2
At a divergent boundary, plates
- move apart
- collide
- slide past each other
- stop moving
Answer and explanation
move apart
Divergent boundaries pull apart, allowing new crust to form.