What defines a mid-ocean ridge?

A mid-ocean ridge is characterized as an underwater mountain range formed by the process of divergent plate tectonics. This occurs when two tectonic plates move apart from each other, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and solidify at the ocean floor. As the magma cools, it creates new oceanic crust, resulting in the development of a ridge that runs along the ocean floor. This geological feature is significant in the context of plate tectonics because it is a primary site for seafloor spreading, where new material is added to the ocean floor, contributing to the dynamic nature of Earth's surface.

While other options may describe certain geological features or processes, they do not specifically capture the essence of a mid-ocean ridge. Intense earthquake activity can be associated with various tectonic interactions, including convergent boundaries, but it is not exclusive to mid-ocean ridges. Similarly, while volcanic activity is intrinsically linked to divergent boundaries, not all volcanic landforms arise specifically from mid-ocean ridges, as many can occur in different tectonic settings. Converging plates can create other significant features such as mountain ranges or deep ocean trenches, but they do not pertain to the formation of mid-ocean ridges, which is solely