Divergent Boundaries

The word diverge is a big word used by scientists to describe what happens when two objects move away from each other. Thus, a divergent boundary is a boundary where two tectonic plates are moving away from one another. As we have already discussed, this most often takes place at ocean ridges.

These ridges are zones of intense volcanic activity. In addition to forming at the bottom of oceans, these divergent boundaries can also form on continents. When this happens, a line of volcanoes emerges.