1. Mid-Ocean Ridges: These are underwater mountain ranges formed when magma rises from the mantle and erupts along the divergent boundary. As the magma cools, it creates new oceanic crust, pushing the plates apart.
2. Rift Valleys: These are valleys formed on land when the crust is pulled apart. They often have steep sides and are often filled with lakes or volcanic features. The East African Rift Valley is a prime example.
3. Volcanoes: Volcanic activity is common along divergent boundaries. The magma that rises to the surface creates volcanoes, often in the form of shield volcanoes with gentle slopes.
4. Geothermal Features: The heat from the Earth's mantle that drives the divergent movement also creates geothermal features like hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles. These areas are often associated with volcanic activity.
5. Seafloor Spreading: The process of new oceanic crust being formed at mid-ocean ridges is known as seafloor spreading. This is a key component of plate tectonics and helps to explain the Earth's magnetic field.
Other features:
* Ocean Basins: The new crust formed at mid-ocean ridges expands the ocean basins.
* Fracture Zones: These are areas of broken crust that run perpendicular to the mid-ocean ridges. They are often filled with volcanic features.
It's important to note that the specific landforms created at divergent boundaries can vary depending on the speed of the plate movement, the type of crust involved (continental or oceanic), and the presence of other geological features.
