what are the main differences between a chain formed at a divergent plate boudary and those developed at convergent plate boundaries? explain the differences
I should think that if you pulled the earth apart the innards would come bubbling up, smoking and steaming.
If you scrunched a hunk of earth, like the Indian subcontinent, into some huge hunk of earth like Asia, you would get all kinds of ripples and folds and pieces pushed up, like big mountain ranges.
However I do math and physics so I hope an earth scientist comes along.
The main differences between chains formed at divergent plate boundaries and those developed at convergent plate boundaries are as follows:
1. Divergent Plate Boundaries:
- Divergent plate boundaries occur when two tectonic plates move away from each other.
- Chains formed at divergent boundaries are called mid-ocean ridges, which are underwater mountain ranges.
- The main feature of mid-ocean ridges is a continuous chain of underwater volcanoes.
- These volcanoes erupt basaltic lava, which is runny and low in silica content, resulting in gentle eruptions.
- As the lava cools and solidifies, it creates new crust, expanding the ocean floor.
- Divergent boundaries also give rise to rift valleys on land, such as the East African Rift Valley.
2. Convergent Plate Boundaries:
- Convergent plate boundaries occur when two tectonic plates collide or come together.
- Chains formed at convergent boundaries are called volcanic arcs or mountain ranges.
- The collision between oceanic and continental plates results in a subduction zone, where the denser oceanic plate is forced beneath the less dense continental plate.
- This process leads to the formation of oceanic trenches, where the ocean floor is pushed into the Earth's mantle.
- As the oceanic plate goes further into the mantle, it undergoes melting due to the high heat and pressure.
- This molten rock, called magma, rises through the overriding plate, causing volcanic activity.
- The volcanoes in convergent boundaries often produce explosive eruptions due to the high silica content and thicker magma.
To summarize, divergent boundaries give rise to mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys, where basaltic lava creates new oceanic crust. On the other hand, convergent boundaries form volcanic arcs and mountain ranges through subduction and volcanic activity, resulting from the collision between oceanic and continental plates.