What are some of the processes that take place at a divergent plate boundary?

At divergent plate boundaries, some of the key processes that occur include seafloor spreading, volcanic activity, formation of rift valleys and fissures, earthquakes, and hydrothermal vents. Seafloor spreading leads to the creation of new oceanic crust as Earth's lithosphere is pulled apart. Volcanic activity often forms underwater mid-ocean ridges and can also occur on land in rift valleys. As tectonic plates diverge, rift valleys and fissures form due to the Earth's crust being stretched and thinned. Earthquakes are common and typically small to moderate in magnitude, resulting from the movement and fracturing of the Earth's crust. Hydrothermal vents release hot, mineral-rich fluids into the ocean, supporting unique ecosystems that rely on chemosynthesis.