Tectonic Plate Boundaries

1. Tectonic Plate Boundaries

2. Plate Boundaries • Plate Boundaries- • Any area of the earth where two different tectonic plates interact with one another. • Faults: • The actual fracture that separates two tectonic plates

3. Transform • Transform Plate Boundary: • A fault where two plates are sliding past one another • As the faults pass each other they get stuck and stop moving. Eventually the rocks holding them back break and suddenly move apart • This “sudden motion” is what causes Earthquakes

4. Transform Fault

6. Divergent • Divergent Plate Boundary • Where two plates separate from each other and move in opposite directions • Divergent plates form mid ocean ridges and are responsible for sea floor spreading

7. Divergent Fault

9. Convergent • Convergent Plate Boundary • Where two plates collide • The more dense plate with sink below the less dense plate • This is called Subduction

11. Convergent • Continent vs Continent: • Both plates are of the same density so no subduction takes place • Mountain ranges such as the Rock Mountains are formed • Oceanic vs Continent/ Oceanic vs Oceanic • Plates are of different densities. The less dense plate (continental/ younger oceanic) with rise on top of the more dense plate (oceanic/ older oceanic) • This forms Volcanoes

12. Convergent