Which feature is commonly associated with divergent plate boundaries?

Divergent plate boundaries are characterized by the movement of tectonic plates away from each other, which can lead to the formation of new oceanic crust. This process occurs primarily at mid-ocean ridges, where the upwelling of magma creates new seafloor as it cools and solidifies. As the plates separate, it allows magma from the mantle to rise, which ultimately forms the underwater mountains known as ocean ridges. This dynamic activity is a hallmark of divergent boundaries, making ocean ridges a defining feature.

Mountain ranges are typically associated with convergent boundaries, where plates push against each other, resulting in uplift and the formation of mountain systems. Deep ocean trenches represent areas where one tectonic plate subducts beneath another, characteristic of convergent boundaries. Transform faults, while they represent another type of plate boundary where plates slide past each other, do not involve the creation of new crust as found at divergent boundaries. Each of these features is linked to specific tectonic processes and therefore underscores why ocean ridges are distinctly connected to divergent plate boundaries.