Lesson 2.

Divergent Plate
Boundaries
 define divergent plate
1 boundary;
Objectives
At the end describe the movement
of the 2 process of divergent
lesson, you boundary; and
should be
able to: identify examples of
3 divergent boundary.
 Learn about It!

Divergent boundaries
• Divergent
boundaries are a
zone in the Earth’s
crust where the
plates move away
from each other.
Formation of new oceanic lithosphere along
divergent boundaries.
 Learn about It!

Divergent boundaries
• It is also known as
the spreading
centers. It is where
the continents split
apart and form
new continental
margins. Formation of new oceanic lithosphere along
divergent boundaries.
 Learn about It!

Divergent boundaries
• Divergent plate
boundaries are
considered as
constructive
margins because
it's where the new
ocean floor is Formation of new oceanic lithosphere along
generated. divergent boundaries.
 Learn about It!

Divergent boundaries

• Elevated areas in the seafloor

forms mountain system called
the mid-ocean ridge. These
underwater mountains are
linked in chains with valleys
known as rift.
The Mid-Atlantic ridge spreads
slowly at a rate of two cm per year.
 Learn about It!

Seafloor spreading

• Seafloor spreading is
the main mechanism
operating along
divergent margins.

Alternating bands along mid-oceanic ridges

showing rocks formed during periods of
normal and reversed magnetic polarities.
 Learn about It!

Seafloor spreading

• It is a continuous process
occurring in mid-oceanic
ridges in which both sides
of the ridge move apart,
causing the spreading.

Alternating bands along mid-oceanic ridges

showing rocks formed during periods of
normal and reversed magnetic polarities.
 Learn about It!

Seafloor spreading
• As new seafloor
moves away from
both sides of the
ridge, more melts
arise from the
asthenosphere. This
process is repeated
in a conveyer belt- A conveyor like mechanism producing new
like manner. ocean floors.
 Learn about It!

Seafloor spreading

• Divergent boundaries may also

develop within continents.
Spreading of landmasses into
two segments forms continental
rifts. In time, these rifts widen to
form new seas.

The East African Rift showing the direction of

movements of segments of the landmass.
Key Points

Divergent boundaries are a zone in the earth’s crust

1 the plates move away from each other.

Seafloor spreading is a continuous process occurring in

2 mid-oceanic ridges in which both sides of the ridge
move apart.

Movement in the boundaries induces decompression

3 melting of rocks and form new oceanic lithosphere.
 Check Your Understanding

Fill the blanks with the correct terms that satisfy the
given analogies.
1. Charles Darwin: theory of evolution; __________: seafloor spreading
theory.
2. convergent plate boundary: destructive margin; divergent plate
boundary: __________.
3. East African Rift: continental rift; East Pacific Rise: __________________.
4. together: convergent plate boundary; separate: __________________.
5. seafloor spreading: ____________________; subduction: trench-arc
systems.
 Challenge Yourself

Why are divergent plate boundaries are considered as

constructive margins?
 Bibliography

Carlson, Diane H. and Charles C. Plummer. 2009. Physical Geology: Earth Revealed, 8th Edition. New
York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Hefferan, Kevin and John O’Brien. 2010. Earth Materials. United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

King, Hobart. “Transform Plate Boundary.” Geology.com. Accessed May 11, 2017. http://
geology.com/nsta/transform-plate-boundaries.shtml

Levin, Harold L. 2013. The Earth Through Time. United States of America: John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Marshak, Stephen. 2009. Essentials of Geology 3rd Edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Stephen J. Reynolds, et al. 2013. Exploring Geology, 3rd Edition. United States: McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc.
 Bibliography

Tarbuck, Edward J. and Frederick J. Lutgens. 2015. Earth Science. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.

United States Geological Survey. 1999. “J. Tuzo Wilson: Discovering transforms and hotspots” Accessed
May 11, 2017. https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/Wilson.html

United States Geological Survey. 2014. “Understanding Plate Motions” Accessed May 1, 2017.
https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dynamic/understanding.html