What geological features are typically found at divergent plate boundaries?

Master Plate Tectonics Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, including hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam efficiently!

Divergent plate boundaries are characterized by tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. This movement creates distinct geological features, primarily mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.

Mid-ocean ridges form when magma rises from the mantle to create new oceanic crust as the plates separate. This process not only forms the longest mountain ranges on the planet, which are predominantly underwater, but also contributes to volcanic activity along the ridges.

Rift valleys occur when a continent begins to split apart, leading to the formation of long, narrow depressions. This feature can be seen in places like the East African Rift, where tectonic forces are actively pulling the land apart.

In contrast, other geological features such as mountain ranges and volcanoes primarily occur at convergent boundaries where plates collide, leading to subduction and the formation of volcanic arcs or mountain ranges. Deep ocean trenches and islands are also associated with convergent boundaries, particularly where oceanic plates subduct beneath continental plates. Fault lines and craters can occur in various tectonic settings but are not specific markers of divergent boundaries.

Thus, mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys are definitive features of divergent boundaries, making the choice of these features correct in this context.

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