When crustal plates diverge or move apart, several key geological processes and features occur:

• Formation of new crust: As two tectonic plates pull apart at a divergent boundary, magma from the Earth's mantle rises up through the gap. When this magma reaches the surface, it cools and solidifies to form new oceanic crust

• Seafloor spreading: This process of magma rising and creating new crust causes the seafloor to spread outward from the boundary, effectively creating new ocean floor. This is seen at mid-ocean ridges such as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge

• Earthquakes: The movement of plates apart can cause earthquakes along the boundary, though these are generally less violent compared to those at convergent boundaries

• Volcanic activity: Rising magma can also create volcanic features such as shield volcanoes along divergent boundaries, especially under the ocean

• Rift valleys: On continental crust, divergence can create rift valleys, which are large-scale faulted valleys formed as the crust stretches and thins

• Magnetic striping: As new crust forms and cools, it records the Earth's magnetic polarity at the time. Over time, this creates symmetrical bands of normal and reversed magnetic polarity on either side of the spreading center, providing evidence for seafloor spreading

In summary, when crustal plates diverge, new crust is generated by upwelling magma, leading to seafloor spreading, volcanic activity, earthquakes, and the formation of geological features like ocean ridges and rift valleys