Here's why:
* Divergent Plate Boundaries: Divergent boundaries occur when tectonic plates move apart.
* Continental Crust: When this happens with continental crust, the landmass begins to split.
* Formation of Rift Valleys: As the plates pull apart, the crust thins, weakens, and eventually fractures. This creates a depression, or valley, that is often flanked by high cliffs or fault scarps.
Examples of Rift Valleys:
* The East African Rift Valley
* The Rio Grande Rift in the United States
Note: If divergence continues for a very long time, the rift valley can eventually become a new ocean basin, with the formation of new oceanic crust.
