Here's why:
* Divergent Boundaries: These are where tectonic plates move apart. The space created allows magma from the Earth's mantle to rise, cool, and solidify, creating new oceanic crust. This process forms the mid-ocean ridge, a long, underwater mountain range that runs through the world's oceans.
* Transform Boundaries: These are where tectonic plates slide past each other horizontally. This motion doesn't create new crust, and it's characterized by frequent earthquakes, but not the formation of mid-ocean ridges.
Think of it this way:
* Divergent boundaries are like a zipper opening, creating space for new material to form.
* Transform boundaries are like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing against each other.
Example:
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is a classic example of a mid-ocean ridge formed along a divergent boundary. The North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart, creating the space for the ridge to form.
