In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. These areas can form in the middle of continents but eventually form ocean basins. Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts which produce rift valleys. If the rifting process stops, a failed rift results. Therefore, most active divergent plate boundaries are between oceanic plates and are often called oceanic rifts.

Although still an area of active research, it appears that due to complex convection within the Earth's mantle material rises to the base of the lithosphere beneath the divergent plate boundary.^[1] This supplies the area with vast amounts of heat and a reduction in pressure that melts rock from the asthenosphere (or upper mantle) beneath the rift area forming large flood basalt or lava flows. Each eruption occurs in only a part of the plate boundary at any one time, but when it does occur, it fills in the opening gap as the two opposing plates move away from each other. The average rate of movement is comparable to how fast human fingernails grow, (about 2 cm a year).

Over millions of years, the plates have moved many hundreds of kilometers away from both sides of the divergent plate boundary. Because of this, rock closest to the boundary is younger than rock further away on the same plate.

Divergent boundaries

• The Mid-Atlantic Ridge
• Red Sea Rift
• East African Rift
• West Antarctic Rift
• East Pacific Rise
• Pacific-Antarctic Ridge
• Galapagos Rise
• Gakkel Ridge
• Explorer Ridge

Other plate boundary types

• Convergent boundary
• Transform boundary

See also

• Seafloor spreading
• Plate tectonics
• Continental drift
• Subduction zone

References

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