Which statement describes divergent boundaries?
Divergent boundaries are found only on land.
Subduction occurs at divergent boundaries.
Plates move toward each other at divergent boundaries.
Magma flows from cracks in the crust at divergent boundaries.
Magma flows from cracks in the crust at divergent boundaries.
Magma flows from cracks in the crust at divergent boundaries.
The correct statement that describes divergent boundaries is:
Magma flows from cracks in the crust at divergent boundaries.
To understand this concept, let's break it down and explain how to arrive at the answer.
Divergent boundaries are boundaries where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other. These boundaries typically occur in situations where magma rises and creates new crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading when it occurs under the ocean or continental rifting when it occurs on land.
The statement "Magma flows from cracks in the crust at divergent boundaries" aligns with this concept. As the plates move apart, tensional forces create fractures or cracks in the earth's crust. Magma from the underlying mantle is then able to rise through these cracks, forming new crust as it cools and solidifies. This process helps in the creation of new oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges and volcanic activity on land in cases of continental rifting.
To determine which statement describes divergent boundaries, it is important to have an understanding of the fundamental characteristics and geological processes associated with these boundaries. By analyzing the options, we can identify the correct statement by considering the key components and processes involved in divergent boundaries.