Which type of plate boundary created the Red Sea?(1 point)
geothermal plate boundary
divergent plate boundary
transform plate boundary
convergent plate boundary
divergent plate boundary
To determine which type of plate boundary created the Red Sea, we need to understand the characteristics of each plate boundary and then analyze the geological features associated with the Red Sea.
1. Geothermal plate boundary: This type of plate boundary is associated with volcanic activity and the release of geothermal energy. It occurs when there is an upwelling of molten rock from deep within the Earth's mantle. However, the Red Sea does not display active volcanic activity, so this is not the correct answer.
2. Divergent plate boundary: This type of plate boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other. As they separate, magma rises to fill the gap, creating new crust. Divergent plate boundaries often result in the formation of rift valleys or mid-ocean ridges. In the case of the Red Sea, it is located on a divergent plate boundary, known as the Red Sea Rift. Therefore, this is the correct answer.
3. Transform plate boundary: This type of plate boundary occurs when two tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally and can result in the formation of faults. Transform boundaries typically do not result in the creation of new crust. As the Red Sea is not associated with a side-to-side sliding of plates, this is not the correct answer.
4. Convergent plate boundary: This type of plate boundary occurs when two tectonic plates collide, resulting in the crust being destroyed, deformed, or uplifted. It often leads to the formation of mountains or trenches. Since the Red Sea does not have features associated with crustal destruction or mountain building, it is not located on a convergent plate boundary.
Therefore, the correct answer is a divergent plate boundary.