Question

the image shows the great rift valley in africa, an example of a rift valley.
which statement best describes how the great rift valley in africa formed?
the rift valley formed when the crust pulled apart.
the rift valley formed due to subduction.
the rift valley formed similarly to an island arc.
the rift valley formed at a convergent boundary.

Explanation:

To determine how the Great Rift Valley formed, we analyze each option:

• Subduction (second option) occurs at convergent boundaries where one plate goes under another, not related to rift valleys.
• Island arcs (third option) form at convergent boundaries (ocean - ocean subduction), not rift valleys.
• Convergent boundaries (fourth option) involve plates colliding, while rift valleys form at divergent boundaries.
• Rift valleys like the Great Rift Valley form at divergent boundaries where the Earth's crust pulls apart (first option), as tectonic plates move away from each other, stretching and breaking the crust.

Answer:

The rift valley formed when the crust pulled apart.