What does the divergence theory describe?

The divergence theory describes a geological process where two tectonic plates move away from each other. This separation occurs at divergent boundaries, which are often found along mid-ocean ridges. As the plates pull apart, magma from below the Earth's crust can rise to fill the gap, leading to the formation of new crust. This process contributes to the creation of oceanic features such as rift valleys and mid-ocean ridges, and is a fundamental aspect of plate tectonics.

In contrast, the other choices depict different processes: the collision of plates, the lateral sliding of plates, and the vertical movement of plates. These processes are associated with convergent boundaries and transform boundaries, respectively, but do not describe the specific action of divergence.