Divergent Process and New Rock
Divergent Process and New Rock is a Grade 7 science concept from Amplify Science (California) Chapter 2: Understanding Plate Boundaries, explaining how divergent boundaries create new crust. As two tectonic plates move apart, hot mantle material rises into the gap, cools, and hardens into new solid rock, continuously adding material to the edges of both separating plates.
Key Concepts
At a divergent boundary , two tectonic plates move away from each other. As they separate, a gap opens up, exposing the hot mantle below.
Material from the mantle rises into this gap. Because it is moving away from the Earth's hot interior, this material cools and hardens into solid rock . This process continuously adds new material to the edges of the separating plates.
Common Questions
How is new rock formed at divergent boundaries?
At divergent boundaries, two tectonic plates move away from each other, opening a gap. Hot mantle material rises into this gap and, as it moves away from Earth interior heat, cools and solidifies into new solid rock.
Where do divergent boundaries occur?
Divergent boundaries occur both on land (like the East African Rift) and under oceans (like the Mid-Atlantic Ridge). Underwater divergent boundaries are responsible for most of Earth new seafloor creation.
What happens to the new rock formed at a divergent boundary?
New rock solidifies at the boundary and is pushed outward as more magma continues to rise. Over millions of years this process continuously adds new material to the tectonic plates, spreading them further apart.
What do Grade 7 students learn about divergent boundaries in Amplify Science?
In Chapter 2 of Amplify Science California Grade 7, students learn that divergent boundaries are constructive zones where mantle material rises, cools, and becomes new rock, adding to the edges of separating plates.