what kind of plate boundary exists at the southeast indian ridge
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: Divergent Plate Boundary
The Southeast Indian Ridge is a divergent plate boundary. At this type of boundary, two tectonic plates are moving away from each other. In the case of the Southeast Indian Ridge, the Indo-Australian Plate and the Antarctic Plate are separating.
As the plates pull apart, magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap. When the magma reaches the surface, it cools and solidifies, forming new oceanic crust. Over time, this process builds a mid-ocean ridge, which is a continuous mountain range located on the ocean floor. The Southeast Indian Ridge is part of the global mid-ocean ridge system that stretches around the planet.
This boundary plays a key role in seafloor spreading. As the plates continue to diverge, the newly formed crust pushes older crust away from the ridge, slowly widening the ocean basin. The rate of spreading at the Southeast Indian Ridge is considered moderate to fast compared to other ridges, and this rate affects the shape and features of the ridge itself.
Divergent boundaries are also associated with shallow earthquakes and volcanic activity, though the volcanoes in ocean ridges are usually underwater. The magma rising at these ridges tends to be basaltic, which is low in silica and flows easily, contributing to the formation of broad, gentle volcanic features.
The Southeast Indian Ridge provides scientists with insights into plate tectonics, mantle processes, and the history of Earth’s lithosphere. By studying the rock samples and seafloor formations in this region, geologists can learn about the composition of the mantle and the dynamics of plate movement. Overall, the Southeast Indian Ridge is a textbook example of a divergent boundary where new oceanic crust is continuously generated.