what do divergent boundaries form

Divergent boundaries form as a result of tectonic plates moving away from each other. This movement leads to the creation of new crust on the lithosphere. Most divergent plate boundaries are underwater and form submarine mountain ranges called oceanic spreading ridges. The process of forming these mountain ranges is volcanic, and while earthquakes are common along these boundaries, they are not as violent as those at convergent plate boundaries. Divergent boundaries can be found on both continental and oceanic lithosphere, and they slowly grow ocean basins within continental lithosphere. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the East Pacific Rise are examples of divergent plate boundaries. As the plates move away from each other, magma rises from the Earths mantle to the surface, solidifying to create new oceanic crust. Over millions of years, tectonic plates may move many hundreds of kilometers away from both sides of a divergent plate boundary, and rocks closest to a boundary are younger than rocks further away on the same plate. Ultimately, divergent boundaries play a crucial role in shaping the continents and oceans over time by forming new crust and new oceans.