MasteryExams
Geography • World GeographyHard

The Great Rift Valley in East Africa is a prime example of which major tectonic feature associated with global crustal divergence?

A. Convergent subduction zone
B. Continental rift valley formed by extensional faulting✓ Correct Answer
C. Conservative transform fault boundary
D. Passive continental margin

💡 Solution & Explanation

The East African Rift is an active continental rift zone representing divergent tectonic forces where the African Plate is splitting into two new tectonic plates, the Somali and Nubian plates. This extension produces steep normal faults, grabens, volcanic activity, and deep freshwater lakes. It contrasts with subduction zones where plates collide and crust is destroyed.

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