What type of boundary is characterized by tectonic plates moving away from each other?

A divergent boundary is characterized by tectonic plates moving away from each other. This movement occurs as magma rises from below the Earth's crust at mid-ocean ridges, creating new oceanic crust as it cools and solidifies. This process contributes to the expansion of the ocean floor and leads to the formation of new landforms, such as rift valleys and oceanic ridges.

In contrast, convergent boundaries involve tectonic plates moving toward each other, often resulting in one plate being forced beneath another, known as subduction. Transform boundaries, on the other hand, are where plates slide past one another horizontally, resulting in seismic activity but not the creation or destruction of crust. A subduction zone specifically refers to the area at a convergent boundary where one plate is pushed deep into the mantle beneath another plate.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the processes and geological features associated with each type of tectonic boundary, highlighting why a divergent boundary is defined by plates moving apart.