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At divergent plate boundaries the spreading of the tectonic plates results in the reduced pressure of the underlying magma. As the spreading continues, lava fills in the area of spreading and cools, becoming the newest addition to the seafloor. This process occurs at a steady rate ranging from a few centimeters to several centimeters of new sea floor each year. However, at a different location opposite the newly formed seafloor are convergent plate boundaries where land and seafloor is destroyed to make room for new seafloor.

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Occurs when species that were similar become increasingly distinct?

Divergent evolution:)


Place where seafloor spreading occurs?

Seafloor spreading occurs at the boundary between two tectonic plates. As the plates divide, magma comes up through the crack and cools to form new sea floor. The farther away the floor is from the boundary, the older it is.


What is another name for the orographic effect?

The orographic effect occurs when winf from over the ocean passes over a mountain and the lack of rain creates a desert on the other side.


Where does polyadenylation occur?

Polyadenylation occurs at the 3' end (the back) of an mRNA strand in the nucleus of the cell. This act of polyadenylation creates a polyadenine (polyA) tail. mRNA cannot leave the nucleus of the cell unless polyadenylation occurs. PolyA tails seem to protect integrity of the mRNA molecule, which is exposed to multiple proteins that can degrade it once shipped to the cytoplasm


Why does the elevation gradually decrease away from the ridge axis?

Hot material ascends at the ridge axis form the mantle. It partially melts. The basaltic melts ascend and form 6-7 km of oceanic crust. The seafloor and the underlying mantle then move away from the ridge axis. The material cools from top down. As it does it contracts thermally and becomes more dense. The vertical contraction of the material and the increased load on the underlying mantle causes the seafloor to subside. The weight of the overlying water also causes subsidence. To the first order, the predicted depth to the seafloor increases with the square root of age from the ridge axis. This in fact occurs and was strong evidence for the reality of seafloor spreading in the late 1960s. Note that Lord Kelvin was on the trans-Atlantic cable project. He crossed the Charlie-Gibbs fracture zone rather than the ridge axis. The square-root relationship was not evident. Wegener also considered the process to some extent, but ended up with continents moving as rafts rather than with seafloor spreading. See paper for technical derivation and some early references. 2011 Sleep, N. H., Small-scale convection beneath oceans and continents. Chi. Sci. Bull., 56(13), 1292-1317, DOI: 10.1007/s11434-011-4435-x.

Related Questions

At a divergent boundary land is gained or lost?

At a divergent boundary, land is gained. Ocean ridges are prominent at divergent plate boundaries. Ocean ridges are areas of seafloor spreading. Seafloor spreading occurs as upwelling magma rises to the surface. This upwelling magma hardens and forms new seafloor.


What type igneous rock is produced at a divergent zone?

Basalt is the type of igneous rock commonly produced at divergent plate boundaries. This rock forms from the solidification of magma that rises to the Earth's surface through the process of seafloor spreading, which occurs at divergent boundaries.


Is subduction common at divergent plate boundaries?

No, subduction is not common at divergent plate boundaries. Divergent plate boundaries are characterized by plates moving away from each other, which creates new oceanic crust. Subduction occurs at convergent plate boundaries where plates collide and one descends beneath the other.


Ocean trench occurs at what boundary?

Divergent boundaries.


What occurs at a divergent boundaries?

Tectonic plates divide


What type of movement occurs at divergent boundaries?

I cant


What type of movement occurs at plate boundaries?

Convergent,Divergent, and Transform Boundaries


What do plates move apart along on?

Plates move apart along divergent boundaries, where new crust is created through volcanic activity and magma upwelling from the mantle. This process is called seafloor spreading and occurs primarily in mid-ocean ridges.


What is the movement that occurs at each type of boundaries?

divergent boundry


Are divergent boundaries where new crust is formed?

Yes, divergent boundaries are where tectonic plates move away from each other. As they separate, magma from below the Earth's surface rises to fill the gap, solidifying into new crust. This process is known as seafloor spreading when it occurs underwater, creating new oceanic crust.


What kind of fault occurs at the divergent plate boundaries?

A normal


Does sea floor spreading occur at a convergent boundary?

No, sea floor spreading does not occur at a convergent boundary. Sea floor spreading occurs at divergent boundaries where tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma to rise and create new oceanic crust. At convergent boundaries, two plates collide, leading to subduction or crustal deformation.