In plate tectonics, a divergent boundary or divergent plate boundary (also known as a constructive boundary or an extensional boundary) is a linear feature that exists between two tectonic plates that are moving away from each other. Divergent boundaries within continents initially produce rifts, which eventually become rift valleys.

Geologists classify plate boundaries into one of three categories: convergent, divergent, and transform. Convergent boundaries occur where two plates move toward each other and collide. Typically, when two plates converge, the thinner plate will sink under the thicker plate in a process called subduction.

Divergent Boundary: Request that students show using their hands what tectonic plates will do at a divergent boundary. (They should move hands apart.) – See Figure 1

plate boundary How can you tell? The lower rocks appear to be folded, much like the layers of sand and flour in the model of a convergent boundary. Discussion points: offer a window into the past forces that acted on a region. Surface features associated with faulting are eroded over time, but the displacement of

Divergent plate boundaries are zones where lithospheric plates move apart from one another.They are characterized by tensional stresses that typical-ly produce long rift zones, normal faults, and basaltic volcanism.

Model types of plate boundaries showing the dominant topographic and geological features, including: (ACSES006) divergent boundaries: rift valley, mid-ocean ridge, normal and transform faults,

Think of the features associated with convergent boundaries and what you are observing with your model; what kind of features would you guess are associated with divergent boundaries?

Free 3d model download: Divergent Boundary: obj, fbx, dae, stl. Works with Unity 3D, Unreal Engine, Sketchup, 3DS Max, Maya, Cinema 4D and Blender.

Use the map of the South Atlantic Ocean to consider the geometry of a divergent boundary on a plate scale and to examine the relationship between the divergent boundary and its first-order discontinuities, transform faults.