* Divergent Boundaries: These are where tectonic plates move apart. As they separate, magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap, creating new oceanic crust. This process leads to the formation of:
* Mid-ocean ridges: Underwater mountain ranges.
* Rift valleys: Land areas where the crust has thinned and cracked.
* Convergent Boundaries: These are where tectonic plates collide. The outcome depends on the type of plates colliding:
* Oceanic-Oceanic: One plate subducts (sinks) beneath the other. This creates a deep ocean trench and volcanic island arcs.
* Oceanic-Continental: The denser oceanic plate subducts under the continental plate, leading to volcanic mountain ranges and deep ocean trenches.
* Continental-Continental: Both plates are too buoyant to subduct, so they crumple and uplift, forming vast mountain ranges like the Himalayas.
In summary, the formation of mountain ranges is a result of tectonic plates pushing together, not pulling apart.
