Final answer:
Rifting occurs above normal mantle and is driven by lateral plate forces. This process is part of plate tectonics and involves the separation of Earth's tectonic plates along rift zones. The rise of molten rock fills the space between the separating plates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rifting occurs above normal mantle and is driven by lateral plate forces. Plates pull apart from each other along rift zones, such as the Mid-Atlantic ridge, driven by upwelling currents in the mantle. This process is part of plate tectonics, which is the study of the movement and interaction of Earth's tectonic plates. Rift zones are mainly found in oceans and are characterized by the rise of molten rock, known as basaltic lava, to fill the space between the separating plates.