Plate Movement
Because continents sit on top of plates, when plates move the continents will move as well. There are 3 different ways the plates can move.
1) Plates can move away from each other, this is called a divergent boundary.
2) Plates can move towards each other, this is called a convergent boundary
3) Plates and move sideways passed each other, this is called a transform fault boundary (also known as transverse)
1) Plates can move away from each other, this is called a divergent boundary.
2) Plates can move towards each other, this is called a convergent boundary
3) Plates and move sideways passed each other, this is called a transform fault boundary (also known as transverse)
Divergent Boundary
How does it work?
Divergent boundary, as explained above is when plates move away from each other.Causing the mantle from the magma underneath the crust then rises upwards to the surface to cool and solidify. It is considered that a divergent boundary is a constructive boundary since new crust forms in this process.
How does it work?
Divergent boundary, as explained above is when plates move away from each other.Causing the mantle from the magma underneath the crust then rises upwards to the surface to cool and solidify. It is considered that a divergent boundary is a constructive boundary since new crust forms in this process.
Convergent Boundary
How does it work?
Convergent boundary, as explained above is when plates move towards each other. As the plates collide, crust gets destroyed, this is also why this convergent boundary is also called a destruction boundary. When two continental plates collide, one will be forced to go under but no subduction will occur. Therefore, the pressing together of the 2 plates will fold the crust and create mountains.
How does it work?
Convergent boundary, as explained above is when plates move towards each other. As the plates collide, crust gets destroyed, this is also why this convergent boundary is also called a destruction boundary. When two continental plates collide, one will be forced to go under but no subduction will occur. Therefore, the pressing together of the 2 plates will fold the crust and create mountains.
But what happens when an oceanic plate and continental plate collide?
When an oceanic and continental plate collide subduction occurs, as the two plates crush against each other, the oceanic plate goes under the subducted part melts. However the collision causes cracks in the crust to form,the heat and pressure from the mantle forces the magma to rise, as the hot magma rises and solidifies at the surface it builds a volcano. With hot magma still rising through the crack and coming out of the top of the volcano, it adopted the name of 'lava'.
When an oceanic and continental plate collide subduction occurs, as the two plates crush against each other, the oceanic plate goes under the subducted part melts. However the collision causes cracks in the crust to form,the heat and pressure from the mantle forces the magma to rise, as the hot magma rises and solidifies at the surface it builds a volcano. With hot magma still rising through the crack and coming out of the top of the volcano, it adopted the name of 'lava'.
So what happens when two oceanic plates collide?
It is very similar to when an oceanic and continental plate collide and there may be subduction. However there is no head-on collision for two oceanic plates. Magma will rise just as it did in the explanation above and form a volcano.
It is very similar to when an oceanic and continental plate collide and there may be subduction. However there is no head-on collision for two oceanic plates. Magma will rise just as it did in the explanation above and form a volcano.
Transform Fault Boundary
How does it work?
A transform plate movement is when two plates slide laterally past each other. The movement is not slow due to friction being between the two plates. This sometimes causes the plates to get 'stuck' but because of the convection current still pulling the plates, a lot of pressure is built up in the plates.When there is enough pressure built up, rocks that are in the plates break and get jerked apart. This results in earthquakes.
How does it work?
A transform plate movement is when two plates slide laterally past each other. The movement is not slow due to friction being between the two plates. This sometimes causes the plates to get 'stuck' but because of the convection current still pulling the plates, a lot of pressure is built up in the plates.When there is enough pressure built up, rocks that are in the plates break and get jerked apart. This results in earthquakes.
The video below talks about fault lines and uses the Saint Andreas Fault as an example.