* Rift Valleys: As the plates pull apart, the land between them stretches and thins, creating a valley that can be quite deep and wide.

* Volcanoes: Magma from the mantle rises up to fill the gap created by the diverging plates, often leading to volcanic activity. This magma can create shield volcanoes, known for their gentle slopes.

* Earthquakes: The movement of the plates can cause earthquakes, especially along the edges of the rift valleys.

* Mid-Ocean Ridges: If the continental plates continue to diverge, the rift valley can eventually split apart, creating a new ocean basin. The area where the plates separate is called a mid-ocean ridge.

* New Ocean Basins: As the mid-ocean ridge spreads, it creates new ocean floor. This process is responsible for the formation of all of the major ocean basins on Earth.

A famous example of this process is the East African Rift Valley, where the African Plate is slowly splitting apart. Over millions of years, this rift valley could potentially become a new ocean basin.