Rift valleys and oceanic ridges are common in the four pictures.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Rift valleys and oceanic ridges are both features formed by divergent plate boundaries.
Explanation
Rift valleys and oceanic ridges are geological structures that result from the movement of tectonic plates. Both features form when two tectonic plates move away from each other. This type of boundary is called a divergent plate boundary.
Rift valleys typically form on land. When the continental crust stretches due to divergent forces, it becomes thinner and eventually splits. As this happens, the land between the separating plates drops down, forming a valley. A good example of this is the East African Rift Valley, which is slowly splitting the African Plate into two smaller plates. Over millions of years, if this process continues, the rift may widen enough for a new ocean to form.
On the other hand, oceanic ridges are found underwater. When oceanic plates diverge, magma from the mantle rises to fill the gap. As it cools, it forms new oceanic crust. This process creates underwater mountain chains called mid-ocean ridges. A well-known example is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which runs down the center of the Atlantic Ocean. This ridge is constantly creating new seafloor, a process known as seafloor spreading.
Despite their different locations, rift valleys and oceanic ridges share a common origin: both are caused by the movement of tectonic plates away from each other. They are also associated with volcanic activity and earthquakes because the Earth’s crust is being pulled apart, allowing magma to rise and faults to form.
These features are key evidence for the theory of plate tectonics, which explains the movement of Earth’s lithosphere. Studying them helps geologists understand the dynamic processes that shape our planet’s surface. Therefore, when analyzing the four pictures mentioned, the presence of rift valleys and oceanic ridges suggests that all of them show regions influenced by divergent plate boundaries.
