Which type of plate boundary creates new oceanic crust?

The creation of new oceanic crust occurs at divergent plate boundaries, which are located primarily along mid-ocean ridges. At these boundaries, tectonic plates move apart from each other, allowing magma from the mantle to rise and solidify, forming new crust as it cools. This process contributes to the continuous renewal and expansion of the ocean floor.

As the tectonic plates separate, they create a gap that is filled by molten rock, which then solidifies to become basaltic oceanic crust. This not only increases the size of the ocean basin but also leads to the formation of underwater volcanic features and mid-ocean ridges. The mechanism involves a constant cycle of divergence and new crust formation, which is fundamental to the theory of plate tectonics and the geological processes shaping the Earth’s surface.