Here's how it works:
* Divergent Plates: At divergent plate boundaries, tectonic plates move apart.
* Magma Upwelling: The space created by the separating plates allows magma from the Earth's mantle to rise.
* New Crust Formation: This magma cools and solidifies, forming new oceanic crust.
* Ridge Formation: The constant addition of new crust creates a long, underwater mountain range called a mid-ocean ridge.
These mid-ocean ridges aren't as high as continental mountains, but they are still incredibly large geological features. They are often marked by a central rift valley where the plates are actively pulling apart.
Important Note: While divergent boundaries are primarily associated with mid-ocean ridges, there are some instances where they can lead to the formation of continental rift valleys, which can eventually develop into mountains if the rift process continues long enough. However, this is a much rarer occurrence compared to the formation of mid-ocean ridges.
