A divergent boundary is typically associated with which type of geological feature?

A divergent boundary is typically associated with a normal fault. At a divergent boundary, tectonic plates move away from each other, leading to the formation of new crust. This process often creates tension in the Earth's crust, which can cause faults to develop.

In a normal fault, the hanging wall moves down relative to the footwall, which is characteristic of the extensional stress that occurs at divergent boundaries. As the plates separate, geological features such as rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges can form, showcasing the movement and tension that is prevalent in these areas. This relationship between divergent boundaries and normal faults helps to explain how these geological structures arise as new crust is created from upwelling magma and how the related stresses affect the crust.

The other types of faults mentioned—reverse faults and strike-slip faults—are associated with different types of stress and boundary interactions. Reverse faults occur at convergent boundaries where plates collide, while strike-slip faults happen at transform boundaries where plates slide past one another horizontally. Subduction zones, conversely, are a specific type of convergent boundary rather than divergent.