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Divergent plates are tectonic earth plates that spread slowly apart.
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∙ 13y ago
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What causes two continental plates to diverge?
An earth quake. This happens because the vibrations force the plates apart
What two earth changing events occur when the plates underneath the ocean spread?
Earthquakes and tsunamis. Earthquakes are caused by the shifting or rubbing of tectonic plates, while tsunamis are a result of the displacement of the water, generating waves which gradually increase in height and power.
Do scientist think the earth surface is broken into huge plates that fit together but move slowly?
Yes. They think the earth's crust (where we are right now), is broken into huge plates (the continents) that fit together, but move very slowly. Thank you for asking.
Why is the earth's crust unstable?
The Earth's crust is composed of tectonic plates that are in constant motion due to the convection currents in the mantle beneath them. This movement can lead to the plates colliding, pulling apart, or sliding past each other, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other geological events that make the Earth's crust appear unstable.
Why do plates move so slowly?
because they are floating on top of a liquid mantle
What is it called when the earth's plates spread apart?
When Earth's plates spread apart, it is known as seafloor spreading. This process occurs at mid-ocean ridges where new crust is formed as magma rises up from the mantle and solidifies. As the plates move apart, they create new oceanic crust.
What do you get when the earth's plates spread apart?
When Earth's plates spread apart, it creates a divergent boundary where new oceanic crust is formed as magma rises from the mantle and solidifies. This process leads to the creation of features like mid-ocean ridges and rift valleys.
How can magma cause the plates that carry the continents to move apart?
magma is very hot so as it boils it moves the plates of the earth causing the continents to slowly move apart
Does the earth's magnetic shield cause the land masses to drift apart?
No. Earth has tectonic plates that slowly move and create earthquakes by rubbing against each other.
What is formed when two plates spread on Earth's crust?
Plates
Which layer are the plates in?
the plates are apart of the crust,the upper layer of the earth
What theory explained how earth was once a single?
The theory that explains how Earth was once a single supercontinent is called the "Theory of Plate Tectonics." This theory suggests that Earth's outer shell is divided into several plates that move and interact with one another over time, causing continents to drift apart or come together. The supercontinent that is believed to have existed in the past is known as Pangaea.
What are tectonic plates and how do they shape the earth?
They are pieces of land that either are divergent which means that they spread apart from each other, they can also be transform plates which slide on each other and the last kind that mostly shapes the earth are tectonic plates that collide or converge which causes earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis.
Why are the continents so far apart?
The continents are far apart due to the process of plate tectonics, where the Earth's lithosphere (outer rocky shell) is made up of large plates that float on the semi-fluid asthenosphere. These plates move very slowly over time, causing the continents to drift apart from each other.
What was determined to be the mechanism by which continents spread apart?
The mechanism by which continents spread apart is known as plate tectonics. This theory proposes that the Earth's outer shell is divided into plates that move relative to each other, causing continents to drift apart over geologic time. The driving force behind this movement is believed to be the process of mantle convection, where heat from Earth's interior causes currents in the mantle that move the plates.
What is the relationship between platetectonics and seafloor spreading?
Plate tectonics is the theory that earth is made of plates that move slowly. Sea floor spreading is related to this because the split created in the sea floor is created by the plates moving apart.
What is the place where earth's plates move apart?
divergent boundary
