Which geological feature forms at a divergent plate boundary?

A mid-ocean ridge is a geological feature that forms at a divergent plate boundary where two tectonic plates are moving away from each other. As these plates separate, magma from below the Earth's crust rises up to fill the gap. When this magma reaches the ocean floor, it cools and solidifies, creating new oceanic crust. This process can result in a continuous underwater mountain range, characterized by volcanic activity and the formation of new crust, which is a hallmark of divergent boundaries.

In contrast, mountain ranges typically form at convergent plate boundaries where plates collide, leading to the uplift of land. Subduction zones occur when one tectonic plate is forced beneath another at convergent boundaries, resulting in deep ocean trenches and volcanic arcs rather than significant ridge formation. Transform faults are areas where two plates slide past each other horizontally; they do not lead to the creation of new crust but are marked by significant earthquake activity. Thus, the mid-ocean ridge is the unique result of divergent plate tectonics, emphasizing the processes associated with the movement and interaction of tectonic plates.