Final answer:
At a divergent boundary between two oceanic plates, you would generally observe earthquakes, volcanoes, and seafloor spreading. These phenomena are due to the separation of tectonic plates and the magma that fills the gap, creating new crust.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you explore two oceanic plates at a divergent boundary, you will commonly observe the following events:
- Earthquakes: Shallow earthquakes are frequently associated with divergent plate boundaries as the tectonic plates pull apart from each other.
- Volcanoes: Volcanism can occur due to magma rising up from the mantle to fill the space created by the separating plates, often forming new oceanic crust.
- Seafloor spreading: As the plates diverge, new ocean floor is created through seafloor spreading, observable along mid-ocean ridges.
Mechanisms such as faults and the formation of island chains are not typically associated with divergent boundaries, as island chains are often created by hotspots, and faults are more characteristic of transform boundaries. Mountains are also unlikely at divergent boundaries, as they are generally associated with convergent boundaries or continental collisions.