What is the primary process taking place at a divergent plate boundary?

At a divergent plate boundary, the primary process occurring is seafloor spreading. This happens when tectonic plates move away from each other, allowing magma from the mantle to rise up and create new oceanic crust. As the plates diverge, they create fissures from which magma can escape, resulting in the formation of mid-ocean ridges. This process not only generates new ocean floor but also can lead to volcanic activity associated with the rising magma.

While volcanism can occur at divergent boundaries, it is a result of the seafloor spreading process rather than a distinct primary action. Subduction of plates is characteristic of convergent plate boundaries, while the formation of mountains often relates to continental collision rather than the divergent context. Thus, seafloor spreading is fundamental to understanding the geological processes that shape the ocean floor at divergent boundaries.