Here's why:
* Magma Source: At divergent plate boundaries, magma rises from the mantle and creates new oceanic crust. This magma is typically basaltic, which is very fluid and has a low viscosity.
* Eruptions: Basaltic magma results in effusive eruptions, meaning the lava flows easily and spreads out over a wide area.
* Volcano Shape: The repeated, widespread lava flows build up over time, creating a broad, gently sloping volcano known as a shield volcano. These volcanoes resemble a warrior's shield lying on the ground.
Examples of shield volcanoes formed at divergent plate boundaries:
* Kilauea Volcano (Hawaii): Located on the Hawaiian hotspot, which is a plume of magma rising from the mantle.
* Mid-Atlantic Ridge: A series of underwater shield volcanoes along the mid-oceanic ridge, where the North American and Eurasian plates are pulling apart.
Other volcanic types:
* Stratovolcanoes are found at convergent plate boundaries, where one plate subducts beneath another.
* Cinder cones are typically small, steep-sided volcanoes that erupt explosively. They can form at various plate boundaries or hotspots.
