How was the formation of the mid-ocean ridge system different from the formation of the Himalayas?

1. The mid-ocean ridge formed at transform plate boundaries. The Himalayas formed at divergent plate boundaries.

2. The mid-ocean ridge formed at transform plate boundaries. The Himalayas formed at convergent plate boundaries.

3. The mid-ocean ridge formed at convergent plate boundaries. The Himalayas formed at transform plate boundaries.

4. The mid-ocean ridge formed at divergent plate boundaries. The Himalayas formed at convergent plate boundaries.

Option (4)

Explanation:

In a divergent plate boundary, two plates move opposite to one another. This results in the creation of a rift or rift valley in the continents or a mid-oceanic ridge in the oceanic crust. The mid oceanic ridge is the boundary where the magma rises upward and reaches the surface of the ocean floor. The geologically youngest rocks are deposited in this ridge.

On the other hand, the convergent of two continental plates results in the formation of a large mountain belts, where the rocks are subjected to large compression and there occurs folding and faulting of rocks. For example, the Himalaya formed due to the collision of Indo-Australian plate and Eurasian plate.

Thus, the mid-oceanic ridges are formed at the site of divergent plate boundaries, where as the Himalayas are formed at the convergent plate boundaries.

Hence, the correct answer is option (4).

4. Two oceanic plates diverge and form the mid-oceanic ridge while two continental plates converge and form the Himalayas.