Mid-ocean ridges occur along divergent plate boundaries, where new ocean floor is created as the Earth's tectonic plates spread apart. As the plates separate, molten rock rises to the seafloor, producing enormous volcanic eruptions of basalt.

What are mid-ocean ridges?

The mid-ocean ridge is a continuous range of undersea volcanic mountains that encircles the globe almost entirely underwater.

Which is characteristic of mid oceanic ridges?

A mid-ocean ridge (or mid-oceanic ridge) is an underwater mountain range, typically having a valley known as a rift running along its axis, formed by plate tectonics. This type of oceanic ridge is characteristic of what is known as an oceanic spreading center.