Processes at plate margins (Diverging plate margins)

Question 1

What happens at diverging plate margins at sea

Answer 1

Diverging plate margins under oceans driven by slab pull, bring magma to the surface to form a ridge

Question 2

What is an example of diverging plate boundaries under oceans

Answer 2

• For example the mid Atlantic ridge separating the South
  American and African plates, rising up to 3km above sea level

Question 3

What Form along ridges under oceans

Answer 3

Volcanoes can form along the ridges sometimes rising above sea level to form islands such Surtsey 32km form Iceland

Question 4

What happens at continental plates

Answer 4

Where continental plates diverge mountain ridges are found at the plate margin as hot magma forces the crust to bulge

Question 5

What are parallel points

Answer 5

As plates move apart the brittle crust fractures, forming parallel faults.

Question 6

What are rift valleys and give an example

Answer 6

Areas of the crust slowly subside between faults to form a ridge valley between the rift mountains (for example The East African Rift Valley)

Question 7

What kind of activity can occur at rift valleys

Answer 7

Volcanic activity can occur along the plate margin, for example Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania which lies at the edge of the East African Rift Valley