Download Diverging Plate Boundaries

Diverging Plate Boundaries
The Formation of Mid-Ocean Ridges
The following sites will help get you answer the following questions. You may
also have to search other sites as well. You may also read page 92 to 93 in
your textbook. Be sure to put your answers in your own words!!!
Websites:
http://www.platetectonics.com/oceanfloors/africa.asp
http://library.thinkquest.org/17457/platetectonics/4.php
1. What is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? Where is it located and how long is
it?
2. What has created the Mid-Atlantic Ridge?
3. What is sea-floor spreading?
4. Copy and paste or draw a diagram illustrating the different stages of
sea-floor spreading.
5. How far is the sea-floor spreading each year at the Mid-Atlantic
Ridge?
Tectonic Processes at the Mid-Ocean Ridge
1. The tectonic processes at diverging plate boundaries are less violent
than at other types of boundaries. Read page 94 in your textbook and
list the three reasons for this.
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2. The most common type of volcanic activity in the world occurs at the
crest of mid-ocean ridges. These eruptions underwater create pillow
lavas. Read page 95 and describe how pillow are lavas formed.
3. Read page 95 to 96.
a. How do large volcanoes form at mid-ocean ridges?
b. What shape are these volcanoes?
c. Where in the world can you find an example of such volcanoes?
4. Read page 96 and describe how a rift valley is formed.
5. Describe the earthquakes that would occur at a mid-ocean ridge.