Divergent Boundaries
A divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary is a straight fracture that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. Most active divergent plate boundaries occur between oceanic plates and exist as mid-oceanic ridges. Divergent boundaries also form volcanic islands which occur when the plates move apart to produce gaps which molten lava rises to fill, an example of this is the Hawaiian Islands.
Current research indicates that the convection currents within the Earth's mantle allows material to rise to the base of the lithosphere beneath each divergent plate boundary. This gives the area a huge amount of heat and a decrease of pressure that melts rock from the asthenosphere.(or upper mantle) Over millions of years, tectonic plates may move many hundreds of kilometers away from both sides of a divergent plate boundary. Because of this, rocks closest to a boundary are younger than rocks further away on the same plate.
Current research indicates that the convection currents within the Earth's mantle allows material to rise to the base of the lithosphere beneath each divergent plate boundary. This gives the area a huge amount of heat and a decrease of pressure that melts rock from the asthenosphere.(or upper mantle) Over millions of years, tectonic plates may move many hundreds of kilometers away from both sides of a divergent plate boundary. Because of this, rocks closest to a boundary are younger than rocks further away on the same plate.