Which geological feature often encircles much of the globe?

Mid-ocean ridges are a continuous series of underwater mountain ranges that encircle much of the globe, forming the longest mountain chain on the planet. These geological features are formed by tectonic activity, specifically at divergent plate boundaries where two tectonic plates move apart from one another. As the plates separate, magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap, solidifying into new oceanic crust and creating a ridge.

The significance of mid-ocean ridges extends beyond their physical presence; they play a crucial role in oceanic circulation, the creation of new ocean floor, and the geological stability of oceanic regions. This phenomenon is fundamental to the theory of plate tectonics, highlighting how Earth's lithosphere is dynamic and constantly reshaping the planet's surface.

While abyssal plains, volcanic arcs, and desert basins are important geological features, they do not encompass the globe in the same continuous manner as mid-ocean ridges, making the latter the correct answer to the question.