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What Are Divergent Plate Boundaries

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 5678
Subjects: scienceela
Standards: MS-ESS2-2
Languages: English, Spanish

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What's included

Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

Auto-graded

Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

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About this reader

This comprehensive middle school science reading passage explores divergent plate boundaries, where Earth's tectonic plates move apart and create new lithosphere. Students learn how magma from the mantle rises to fill gaps between separating plates, cooling to form new crust. The passage explains mid-ocean ridges as underwater mountain chains where seafloor spreading occurs, and describes continental rift valleys like the East African Rift. Aligned to NGSS standard MS-ESS2-2 and disciplinary core idea MS-ESS2.B, this resource includes audio integration, differentiated reading levels, Spanish translations, vocabulary glossary, comprehension questions, writing activities, and graphic organizers. Perfect for grades 6-8 Earth science curriculum covering plate tectonics and Earth's dynamic surface processes.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Divergent plate boundaries are places where Earth's tectonic plates move away from each other. As two plates pull apart, they create a gap in Earth's surface. Hot magma from the mantle rises up to fill this space. When the magma cools and hardens, it forms brand-new crust. Scientists explain that divergent boundaries act like a factory for Earth's surface, constantly building new lithosphere.

Most divergent boundaries exist deep under the oceans. Evidence shows that these underwater boundaries form long mountain chains called mid-ocean ridges. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge stretches for thousands of kilometers beneath the Atlantic Ocean. At these ridges, the seafloor slowly spreads apart in a process called seafloor spreading. New ocean floor forms as magma pushes up through the gap. The newest crust sits right at the ridge center. Older crust moves away on both sides as more magma rises.

Divergent boundaries can also occur on land, where they tear continents apart. Scientists observe these boundaries forming deep valleys called rift valleys. The East African Rift is one clear example of a continental divergent boundary. This massive crack in Earth's surface stretches through several countries in eastern Africa. The African plate is slowly splitting into two smaller plates. Evidence shows that volcanic activity and earthquakes happen frequently along the rift. If this process continues for millions of years, the rift may widen enough to fill with ocean water. Africa could eventually split into two separate continents.

Understanding divergent boundaries helps scientists explain how Earth's surface changes over time. These boundaries show that our planet remains active and dynamic. New crust forms at divergent boundaries while old crust gets destroyed at other types of plate boundaries. This cycle keeps Earth's surface constantly renewing. The process also affects ocean basins, continent positions, and volcanic activity around the world.

Interesting Fact: The Mid-Atlantic Ridge rises so high in some places that it breaks through the ocean surface to form islands. Iceland sits directly on top of this underwater mountain chain, making it one of the few places where you can stand on a mid-ocean ridge.

What happens at divergent plate boundaries?

Plates move away from each otherPlates crash into each otherPlates slide past each otherPlates stay in one place

Where do most divergent plate boundaries occur?

In mountain rangesUnder the oceansIn desert regionsNear the North Pole

What is magma?

Solid rock on Earth's surfaceWater deep undergroundHot melted rock beneath Earth's surfaceCold air in the atmosphere

The term 'seafloor spreading' refers to:

Ocean water moving across the seafloorNew ocean floor forming as plates move apartFish swimming across the oceanWaves spreading across the water

Why is the East African Rift an important example in the passage?

It shows how divergent boundaries can split continentsIt is the oldest place on EarthIt has the most volcanoes in the worldIt is where the first humans lived

What can scientists infer about Earth based on divergent boundaries?

Earth's surface never changesEarth remains active and constantly renews its surfaceAll plates move at the same speedNew crust never forms

If a divergent boundary continues to widen a rift valley for millions of years, what might happen?

The valley will fill with iceThe valley will disappear completelyThe valley may fill with ocean water and split the continentThe valley will become a desert

How does the process at divergent boundaries affect the entire Earth system?

It only affects small local areasIt influences ocean basins, continent positions, and volcanic activity worldwideIt has no effect on Earth's surfaceIt only affects the weather

True or False: The newest crust at a mid-ocean ridge is found at the center of the ridge.

TrueFalse

True or False: Divergent boundaries destroy old crust.

TrueFalse