The East African Rift Valley illustrates the formation of divergent plate boundary in a continental setting. Explain the

four steps in the formation of a divergent plate boundary. What will be an ideal response?


(a) Rising magma beneath a continent pushes the crust up, producing numerous fractures,
faults, rift valleys, and volcanic activity.
(b) As the crust is stretched and thinned, rift valleys develop, and lava flows onto the valley
floors—such as seen today in the East African Rift Valley.
(c) Continued spreading further separates the continent until it splits apart and a narrow
seaway develops. The Red Sea, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa, is a good
example of this stage of development.
(d) As spreading continues, an oceanic ridge system forms, and an ocean basin develops and
grows. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge illustrates this stage in a divergent plate boundary’s history.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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A deep-water wave is traveling with a speed of 13 m/s. Its period is ________.

A. 1.3 seconds B. 13 seconds C. 8.3 seconds D. 1.2 seconds E. None of these is correct.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Although ____________________ seems relatively inexpensive and safe, environmental issues such as long-lived waste make this the most expensive nonrenewable energy source.

Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Despite the large size of Russia and the Near Abroad, 75% of the people live in 20% of the total area known as the Fertile Triangle

a. True b. False Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which of the following is the most specific taxonomic grouping shared by humans and killer whales?

A) Phylum B) Class C) Order D) Family E) Genus

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences