Question

Which option describes how the movement of Earth's tectonic plates contributes to the formation of an ocean basin?

a) The plates push against each other, creating a depression that forms the basin.
b) The plates collide, forcing the land to sink and form the basin.
c) The plates pull apart, allowing water to fill the gap and create the basin.
d) The plates have no significant impact on the formation of ocean basins.

Answer 1

The movement of Earth's tectonic plates contributes to the formation of an ocean basin by pulling the plates apart, allowing water to fill the gap and create the basin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct option that describes how the movement of Earth's tectonic plates contributes to the formation of an ocean basin is c) The plates pull apart, allowing water to fill the gap and create the basin.

When tectonic plates diverge or move apart, they create a gap or rift between them. This gap allows water, such as from the ocean, to fill in and create an ocean basin. A well-known example of this is the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where the North American plate and the Eurasian plate are pulling apart, creating the Atlantic Ocean basin.