Here's why:
* Divergent boundaries are where tectonic plates move apart from each other.
* This movement creates tension in the lithosphere, pulling it apart.
* Normal faults form in response to this tension. The hanging wall (the block of rock above the fault) moves down relative to the footwall (the block of rock below the fault).
Other characteristics of faults at divergent boundaries:
* Shallow dipping faults: Normal faults at divergent boundaries often have shallow dip angles.
* Graben formation: The downward movement along normal faults can create elongated, depressed areas called grabens.
* Mid-ocean ridges: Divergent boundaries in the ocean create mid-ocean ridges, where new oceanic crust is formed.
Example: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a classic example of a divergent boundary with numerous normal faults.
