27.2k views
1 vote
Why does a portion of the mantle rise toward the Earth's surface in a divergent plate system?

User MysteRious
by
7.7k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

In a divergent plate system, a portion of the Earth's mantle rises towards the surface due to convection currents in the mantle. These currents transport energy from the warm interior of the Earth to the cooler upper mantle.

Step-by-step explanation:

A portion of the mantle rises towards the Earth's surface in a divergent plate system due to a process known as convection. The Earth's crust and upper mantle are divided into tectonic plates that move due to this convection. This movement of the plates is an integral part of plate tectonics, which is a fundamental concept to geology.

Convection is the transportation of energy from a warmer region, in this case, the interior of the Earth, to a cooler region, such as the upper mantle. This results in the upward flow of warmer material and the slow sinking of cooler material.In a divergent plate system, a portion of the mantle rises toward the Earth's surface due to a process called convection. Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluid or material.

At divergent plate boundaries, like the Mid-Atlantic ridge, the tectonic plates are moving apart from each other. As they separate, the upwelling convection currents in the mantle beneath cause the warmer, less dense material to rise and fill the space between the diverging plates. This action leads to the creation of new crust.

Learn more about Plate Tectonics

User Aakash Goyal
by
6.8k points