Here's why:
* Divergent boundaries occur when tectonic plates move apart. This separation creates space, allowing magma from the Earth's mantle to rise to the surface.
* In the case of the East African Rift Valley, the African Plate is slowly splitting apart. As the plates move away from each other, the crust thins and weakens, leading to:
* Volcanic activity: The rising magma creates volcanoes along the rift.
* Earthquakes: The movement of the plates causes earthquakes.
* Formation of the rift valley: The thinned and weakened crust collapses, forming the distinctive valley.
The East African Rift Valley is a prime example of how divergent plate boundaries shape the Earth's surface.
