East Pacific Rise

The East Pacific Rise is a long underwater mountain range that runs through the eastern Pacific Ocean. It is a divergent tectonic plate boundary, where the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate are moving apart. As they separate, magma from the Earth’s mantle rises to fill the gap, creating new oceanic crust. This geological activity leads to the formation of underwater volcanic features and contributes to the phenomenon of seafloor spreading, where the ocean floor gradually expands. The East Pacific Rise plays a crucial role in shaping the Earth's geology and supports unique ecosystems thriving in its hydrothermal vents.