Return to Geology Index PageDivergent
Divergents is where the world is expanding. Divergents takes place along plate boundaries of the Mid-Ocean Ridge. This ridge is a outlet source where magma deep within the mantle wells up to the Earth's surface. As the lavas flows out of the ridge, it quickly cools and expands forcing the plates apart. Seafloor spreading is moving at a rate of about 2.4 inches a year in some places along the Mid-Ocean Ridge.