Question

geologists have observed that a portion of africa is breaking away from the main continent. this is happening because the african plate is in the process of splitting up into two parts. scientists have named the two new tectonic plates the nubian plate and somalian plate. both of these plates are not only moving away from each other but also away from the arabian plate. based on this information, determine the type of boundaries these two new plates would share with each other and the arabian plate.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Tectonic Boundary Types

Tectonic plate boundaries are divergent (plates move apart), convergent (move toward), or transform (slide past). Divergent boundaries form where plates separate.

Step2: Analyze Plate Movement

The Nubian and Somalian Plates move away from each other, and both move away from the Arabian Plate. Movement apart indicates divergent boundaries.

Step3: Determine Boundary Type

Since all these plates (Nubian - Somalian, Nubian - Arabian, Somalian - Arabian) are moving away, their boundaries are divergent.

Answer:

The boundaries between the Nubian Plate and Somalian Plate, Nubian Plate and Arabian Plate, and Somalian Plate and Arabian Plate are all divergent boundaries.