Rift Valleys
Definition
Rift valleys are long, narrow depressions on Earth's surface that form when tectonic plates move apart. They are characterized by steep walls and can be filled with water or contain fertile soils.
Analogy
Imagine you have a piece of bread dough that you stretch apart with your hands. As you pull it, the dough thins out in the middle, creating a long and narrow depression. Similarly, rift valleys form when tectonic plates separate, causing the Earth's crust to stretch and thin out, resulting in a valley-like depression.
Related terms
Plate Tectonics: This is the theory that explains how large pieces of Earth's lithosphere (tectonic plates) move and interact with each other.
Mid-Ocean Ridge: It refers to underwater mountain ranges formed by volcanic activity along divergent plate boundaries.
Subduction Zone: This is an area where one tectonic plate is forced beneath another into the mantle, often leading to volcanic activity.
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