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A few things could happen. The separation could leave a gap in the two plates, and if the plate is deep enough, magma could rise and cool. Also depending on how high the magma rises, it could either add to the land or add to the ocean floor, most likely the ocean floor. The continental plate may also continue to move with the oceanic plate, as the crust is resting on the wobbly viscous asthenosphere.

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What is oceanic plates?

Oceanic plates are sections of the Earth's lithosphere that are found beneath the oceans. These plates are denser and thinner than continental plates and are typically composed of basaltic rock. Oceanic plates are constantly moving due to the process of plate tectonics, where they can collide with, slide past, or be forced beneath other plates.


How are divergent and convergent boundaries different?

Convergent plates are two tectonic plates that are colliding as they move toward each other. There are several types of converging plate boundaries. Oceanic to oceanic plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with another oceanic plate, the more dense plate subducts into the mantle. The subduction results in the partial melting of lithospheric rock above the area of the subduction, causing underwater volcanoes to form. If the volcanoes grow to reach the surface, volcanic arc islands are formed. Oceanic to continental plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is subducted due to the fact that it is more dense, which can also cause volcanism and mountain building. Continental to continental plate convergence: Where two continental plates collide, neither subducts into the mantle, the crust is thickened, and mountain ranges are formed from the thickening and uplift.


Where does the oceanic crust begin?

The oceanic crust begins at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, forming new crust. This process of seafloor spreading creates the youngest oceanic crust at the ridge and older crust farther away from it.


Is the oceanic crust of the African plate is moving away from the continental crust of the Arabian plate?

Yes, the oceanic crust of the African plate is moving away from the continental crust of the Arabian plate due to seafloor spreading along the divergent boundary in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This process forms new oceanic crust as magma rises to the surface, pushing the plates apart.


Where do volcanic mountains commonly form?

Volcanic mountains commonly form along plate boundaries, specifically at subduction zones where oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates or other oceanic plates. They can also form at divergent boundaries where plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise to the surface and create volcanic activity.

Related Questions

When two geologic plates are moving away from each other what happens?

When it is two continental plates, new oceanic crust is formed, and when this continues, more oceanic crust is formed between the plates.


What are three types of convergent boundaries?

Oceanic-continental convergence: Oceanic plates sink beneath continental plates, creating subduction zones and mountain ranges. Oceanic-oceanic convergence: When two oceanic plates collide, one plate is subducted beneath the other, leading to trench formation and volcanic island arcs. Continental-continental convergence: Two continental plates collide, resulting in the uplift of crust and the formation of mountain ranges.


What happens to oceanic and continental plates when they diverge?

When oceanic and continental plates diverge, the oceanic plate moves away from the continental plate, creating a rift. This process can lead to the formation of new oceanic crust as magma rises to fill the gap, resulting in mid-ocean ridges. The continental plate may also experience stretching and thinning, which can create rift valleys. Overall, this divergence contributes to the dynamic nature of plate tectonics and the formation of new geological features.


What is oceanic plates?

Oceanic plates are sections of the Earth's lithosphere that are found beneath the oceans. These plates are denser and thinner than continental plates and are typically composed of basaltic rock. Oceanic plates are constantly moving due to the process of plate tectonics, where they can collide with, slide past, or be forced beneath other plates.


What are types of convergents boundaries?

Converging (destructive) plate boundary: where two plates collide. Diverging (constructive) plate boundary: where two plates move away from each other. Transform plate boundary: where two plates move, or grind, past each other. Like the boundary in California.


What are the types of divergent boundaries?

The 3 general types are constructive, destructive, and conservative boundaries. Constructive (divergent) - plates move away from each other, typically creating a rift Destructive (convergent) - one plate will be subducted, or continental plates collide Conservative (transform) - plates grind past each other, stalling and slipping


How are divergent and convergent boundaries different?

Convergent plates are two tectonic plates that are colliding as they move toward each other. There are several types of converging plate boundaries. Oceanic to oceanic plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with another oceanic plate, the more dense plate subducts into the mantle. The subduction results in the partial melting of lithospheric rock above the area of the subduction, causing underwater volcanoes to form. If the volcanoes grow to reach the surface, volcanic arc islands are formed. Oceanic to continental plate convergence: Where an oceanic plate collides with a continental plate, the oceanic plate is subducted due to the fact that it is more dense, which can also cause volcanism and mountain building. Continental to continental plate convergence: Where two continental plates collide, neither subducts into the mantle, the crust is thickened, and mountain ranges are formed from the thickening and uplift.


What are plates moving away from one Another?

When plates move towards each other it is called a convergent boundary. The two types of plates converging depends on what happens. When it is oceanic/oceanic, both plates subduct (go downward), leading to the creating of trenches found at the depths of the ocean. When an oceanic plate converges with a continental plate, the more dense oceanic plate subducts under the continental plate, again creating trenches, and also leading to the destruction of the ocean floor. When continental plates converge, they tend to smash up and rise, creating mountains. When plates move apart, it is called a divergent boundary. When oceanic plates move apart, magma rises, cools, and solidifies to create new ocean floor. This, along with continental/oceanic convergence, accounts for seafloor spreading. When two continental plates diverge, the area left between them slowly turns into an ocean. For an example of this type of ocean, look at the Red Sea.


What are divergent boundaries?

Divergent boundaries are areas where continental or oceanic plates are moving away from each other and creating new crust. Examples would be the Mid-Oceanic Ridge and the East African Rift Zone.


Where does the oceanic crust begin?

The oceanic crust begins at the Mid-Ocean Ridge, where tectonic plates are moving apart, allowing magma to rise and solidify, forming new crust. This process of seafloor spreading creates the youngest oceanic crust at the ridge and older crust farther away from it.


How does the continental drift form?

Continental drift is what happens when the Earth's plates shift either towards or away from the other plates. Earthquakes occur when two of the plates bump into each other. It happens when the magma from within the Earth rises up and pushes the plates, due high pressure they pose. That's the best I can do.


Is the oceanic crust of the African plate is moving away from the continental crust of the Arabian plate?

Yes, the oceanic crust of the African plate is moving away from the continental crust of the Arabian plate due to seafloor spreading along the divergent boundary in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This process forms new oceanic crust as magma rises to the surface, pushing the plates apart.