Here's how it works:
* Divergent Plate Boundaries: At these boundaries, tectonic plates move apart from each other.
* Magma Upwelling: As the plates pull away, the space between them allows magma from the Earth's mantle to rise up.
* New Crust Formation: This magma cools and solidifies, creating new oceanic crust.
* Mid-Ocean Ridge Formation: This process of new crust formation along the boundary creates a long, underwater mountain range known as a mid-ocean ridge.
* Seafloor Spreading: As new crust is continuously added at the ridge, the older crust moves away from the ridge, pushing the seafloor outwards.
This constant process of new crust formation and seafloor spreading is what drives the movement of tectonic plates and is responsible for the shape and features of the Earth's surface.
