What are the characteristics of a divergent plate boundary?

When two plates are moving away from each other, we call this a divergent plate boundary. Along these boundaries, magma rises from deep within the Earth and erupts to form new crust on the lithosphere. Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges.

What are the characteristics of a convergent plate boundary?

A convergent boundary, or destructive boundary, is where two plates are moving towards each other and colliding. The pressure and friction is great enough at these boundaries that the material in the Earth’s mantle can melt, and both earthquakes and volcanoes happen nearby.

What happens at a divergent plate boundary?

Divergent boundaries occur along spreading centers where plates are moving apart and new crust is created by magma pushing up from the mantle. Picture two giant conveyor belts, facing each other but slowly moving in opposite directions as they transport newly formed oceanic crust away from the ridge crest.

What features are at convergent and divergent plate boundaries?

Convergent vs. Divergent Boundaries

What is a divergent boundary?

A divergent boundary occurs when two tectonic plates move away from each other. Along these boundaries, earthquakes are common and magma (molten rock) rises from the Earth’s mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust.

What is the difference between convergent and divergent plate boundaries?

Convergent plates converge, or come together. The plates push against each other and build up. That’s how mountains are formed. Divergent plates diverge, or go away from each other.

How can you tell the difference between divergent and convergent?

Divergence generally means two things are moving apart while convergence implies that two forces are moving together.